Georgia Dollar General manager was ringing up a $1.58 packet of buns when, suddenly, the customer stepped aside and allegedly fatally shot her

A 44-year-old store manager was killed in a sudden act of violence Tuesday morning while working at a Dollar General on Victory Drive in Columbus, Georgia. Per WTVM 9, Alexis Hill, a mother of three, was working the till when the incident occurred. The suspect in the shooting was later tracked down and killed by police following a separate confrontation that also left an officer and a K-9 wounded.

Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan told the outlet that the interaction began when a man entered the store to purchase a packet of $1.58 hamburger buns. He reportedly handed Hill two crumpled $1 bills after she scanned the item. As she attempted to straighten out the cash, the customer allegedly moved to the side, drew a firearm, and shot her. The incident took place just after 10:00 AM, and Coroner Bryan pronounced Hill dead at the scene at 10:45 AM.

Following the shooting, the suspect fled the store and was later identified as 33-year-old Jerome Willis. PEOPLE noted that Hill and Willis did not know each other before this encounter. WTVM 9 reported that the search for the suspect led law enforcement to a scene near Baker Plaza Drive, close to the former Muscogee Elementary School. It was here that Columbus police officers encountered Willis in a parking lot.

Willis got into a tense encounter with the police

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which is currently handling the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, stated that officers gave verbal commands to Willis, but he allegedly did not comply. When officers released a K-9 to assist in the apprehension, Willis reportedly opened fire, hitting the dog and pointing his weapon at the officers. Police returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times. Willis was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:16 PM.

WTVM 9 reported that the officer injured in the exchange was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to make a full recovery. The K-9, a 2-year-old German shepherd named Havoc, was airlifted to an Auburn veterinary facility, where the dog remains in stable condition as of Tuesday night, though he will require surgery. The outlet noted that Havoc is a trained member of the department, skilled in narcotics detection, tracking, and apprehension.

This isn’t the only case recently where a police officer was injured. A few weeks ago, a DUI incident with an elderly man in New York resulted in an explosive crash into a nail salon that resulted in the death of an off-duty police officer. Last week, the Prairieland Detention Center protesters were sentenced to a cumulative 450 years after a police officer was shot in the resulting riot. 

In the aftermath of the shooting, those who knew Hill have shared memories of her character and work ethic. A friend, who served as the godmother to one of Hill’s children, spoke with WTVM 9 about the impact Hill had on those around her. “She’d make you laugh. She loved that job, and she worked her entire butt off for that job,” the friend said. She further described Hill as someone who was “sweet” and “positive.”

The outlet stated that Hill is survived by her three sons and two grandchildren. Her brother, Johnathan Willis, shared a statement emphasizing the family’s grief. “She can’t be replaced,” he said, according to reports. “It’s a loss that I’m going to have to deal with, and the family is going to have to deal with.” 

Johnathan also established a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral expenses, noting that his sister was a beloved family member whose passing has left them devastated. Currently, officials have not released any information regarding a potential motive for the initial shooting.