“I’m not following you, I’m shopping”: July 4th Augusta Mall shooter, victim knew each other

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Details have been released in the July 4th Augusta Mall shooting.

According to reports released by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the victim, Rico Walton, was attempting to check out at a mall store when he turned around and asked the alleged shooter, Derek Blue Jr., “Why are you following me?

Blue responded, “I’m not following you, I’m shopping.”

Walton turned back to Blue and said, “I bet you if I hit you with that switch, you wont be following me anymore.”

That’s when witnesses said Blue pulled a gun from his waist and shot Walton twice, once in his left thigh, and once in his right knee.

Authorities say Blue then fled the scene.

This is not the 1st encounter between the alleged shooter and suspect.

In 2022, Rico Walton and Derek Blue were involved in another shooting incident.

In February of that year, Walton allegedly shot Blue in the elbow while Blue and his then girlfriend (Walton’s ex-girlfriend) where walking down Winston Way toward Windsor Spring Road.

No additional details are available in either incident.