Man Pleads Guilty to Firing Gun Inside Valdosta Convenience Store

ALBANY, Ga. – A Southwest Georgia man with an extensive criminal history is facing up to life in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm following a shooting inside a Valdosta convenience store.

Eric Jerome Tooley, 46, of Hahira, pleaded guilty on January 22 before Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Sands to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. As an armed career criminal, Tooley faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years up to life in prison, followed by five years of supervised release and a possible $250,000 fine. A sentencing date has not yet been set. There is no parole in the federal system.

Court records show the case stems from a February 19, 2025 incident at the Mega Mart convenience store on North Lee Street in Valdosta. A Valdosta Police Department officer on patrol heard gunshots and responded to the area. As the officer arrived, Tooley was seen leaving the store. A bystander reported that three shots had been fired inside.

“Armed repeat offenders found endangering people’s safety will find their cases prosecuted at the federal level, where there is no parole,” said U.S. Attorney William R “Will” Keyes. “I commend the bravery displayed by the responding Valdosta Police Department officers and their work to safely apprehend the defendant. We are grateful for the continued partnership with law enforcement at every level to keep people safe.”

Investigators later reviewed surveillance video that showed Tooley becoming agitated with a cashier over a lighter, pointing a pistol at the clerk, then turning the gun and firing a round between two customers standing inside the store. Responding officers apprehended Tooley near East Jane Street without further incident.

Federal authorities said Tooley has prior felony drug distribution convictions in Cobb County and Lowndes County, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm.

“This defendant’s actions showed a complete disregard for human life—firing inside a business and endangering innocent bystanders,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “ATF will continue to work alongside the Valdosta Police Department and our law enforcement partners to ensure repeat violent offenders are removed from our communities and held fully accountable in federal court.”

The case was investigated jointly by the Valdosta Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit is prosecuting the case.