A Georgia Walmart became the scene of a tragic incident as a man, previously convicted of violent crime, now faces charges in the fatal stabbing of a teenager.

Authorities in Savannah have reported that 48-year-old Delano Middleton is accused of stabbing 18-year-old J.T. Schroeder on October 23 at the Walmart. According to the Chatham County Police Department, the stabbing occurred amid a confrontation inside the store, and tragically, Schroeder succumbed to his injuries four days later.

Middleton has been charged with murder in connection to the incident. As reported by WTOC, investigators allege that the altercation began when Schroeder kicked Middleton’s shopping cart.

In a disturbing twist, this is not Middleton’s first brush with violence; four years ago, he was involved in another stabbing incident where a woman was repeatedly attacked, according to reports.

Middleton’s alleged attack on the teenager has reignited discussions around violent crime and its prevention, with many questioning how such incidents can be averted in the future.

Schroeder had dreams of becoming a merchant Marine and already had a sponsorship, according to his obituary.

“The world lost a beautiful soul far too soon,” his obituary states. “JT loved people deeply and had a smile that could light up any room. His heart was so big that he had countless friends, each one feeling like they were his favorite. He had a way of making everyone feel seen and included, whether you were a lifelong friend or someone he’d just met.”

The 18-year-old donated organs following his death, according to the obituary, and gave “the gift of life to seven families.”

Criminal past

On Oct. 22, 2021, Erica Young said Middleton walked into the U-Haul store she was working at and stole keys that were behind the desk, then went outside where he planned on taking a truck, WTOC reported.

Middleton then stabbed Young in the stomach and head several times, in an attack she said was unprovoked, according to the outlet.

“When I was on the ground, he told me that he wanted to watch me bleed out,” Young said. “I’ve never met him before that day, never had any contact with him.”

J.T. Schroeder was only 18 when he died. (Facebook/Brittany Dell Orco)

In December 2023, Middleton took a negotiated plea deal and pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. As part of the deal, Middleton spent 2 years in prison followed by 8 years of probation.

Young said the punishment was too lenient and only encouraged him to be violent in the future.

“Honestly, this is my true opinion on it,” Young said. “He got away with the stabbing of me, so he thought he could get away with it again.”

The stabbing victim said Schroeder’s death made her wish she had fought for a harsher sentence.

Walmart location in Savannah, Georgia. (Google Maps)

“I’m so sorry for their loss,” Young said. “It made me wish I fought more — then he wouldn’t have been able to get out of the streets. But I have two kids, so I fled. We packed up our entire house.”

Middleton is being held at the Chatham County Jail, where he’s being held on no bond.