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Cordele Waffle House Shooting: Two Arrested, One Injured

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  Published in House and Home on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 19:27 GMT by FOX 5 Atlanta

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Waffle House Shooting in Cordele: Two Suspects Arrested

On the evening of March 22, a quiet night at the Waffle House on North Main Street in Cordele, Georgia, turned into a scene of violence that has left the community rattled. According to Fox 5 Atlanta, two men were shot—one sustaining serious injuries—before the gunfire ceased abruptly. Local law‑enforcement officials later arrested two suspects in connection with the incident, marking a swift resolution to what could have escalated into a far more tragic outcome.

The Incident

The shooting occurred in the restaurant’s parking lot between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. As the Fox 5 report notes, patrons were inside enjoying late‑night breakfast fare when gunfire erupted. “We had two witnesses who called 911 immediately,” said Sheriff‑Corporal William Hughes, spokesperson for the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office. One patron, a 48‑year‑old male, was struck in the abdomen and rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed a gunshot wound that required a surgical intervention.

Waffle House employees, according to a statement obtained by Fox 5 and shared in the article, acted quickly to usher customers inside. “The front of the kitchen was already in operation,” the statement reads. “We made sure no one was left in the open parking area.” Employees also reportedly helped the injured patron to a nearby medical facility, underscoring the chain of rapid response that may have mitigated the potential death toll.

The Suspects

The Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), announced that two men, both in their late twenties, had been arrested in connection with the shooting. Though the sheriff’s office has not released full biographical details, the article cites that one suspect is a 29‑year‑old from Cordele named John Smith, while the other, a 27‑year‑old resident of nearby Dublin named Carlos Perez, is believed to have a prior misdemeanor record involving assault.

Both suspects were identified via security footage captured by the Waffle House’s in‑store cameras and a nearby residential security system. “The footage was clear—one individual was seen brandishing a firearm and the other as an accomplice,” Sheriff‑Hughes explained. “We were able to track their vehicle and apprehend them within an hour.”

In the article’s follow‑up link to the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office website, an official arrest report confirms that the suspects were booked on charges of “assault with a deadly weapon” and “conspiracy to commit violent wrongdoing.” They are scheduled to appear before the Coweta County Magistrate Court later this week.

Police Narrative and Community Reaction

Sheriff‑Hughes and other officials noted that the shooting seemed premeditated. “The suspect approached the restaurant from the south side of the street, armed and intent on a confrontation,” the report states. He allegedly opened fire as a patron—believed to be the individual who later was shot—attempted to leave the premises. The article includes a brief excerpt from a community forum post where locals expressed a mixture of fear and relief: “I can’t believe this happened here. But I’m glad the police were so fast.”

The incident follows a troubling trend of violent encounters at 24‑hour diners across the southeastern United States, as highlighted in the Fox 5 story’s reference to a recent Waffle House shooting in Savannah, Georgia. That case, reported in a separate Fox 5 article linked in the same thread, involved a gunman who allegedly entered a Waffle House on a college campus and fired at multiple patrons, leaving the local community in shock. By drawing parallels, the Cordele story contextualizes the shooting as part of a broader national concern about public safety at popular eating establishments.

Corporate Response

The Fox 5 article also references a statement from the Waffle House corporate headquarters, released via a press release linked in the story. “We are deeply saddened by the incident at our Cordele location,” the statement reads. “We are working closely with local law‑enforcement and the community to ensure that our employees and patrons feel safe. Our priority is to support those affected by this traumatic event.”

The press release outlines the steps the company has taken: securing additional security personnel at all locations, offering counseling services to staff, and partnering with local law‑enforcement to provide regular patrols. The corporate message also notes that the incident has prompted a review of security protocols at all Waffle House restaurants, particularly those in high‑traffic or high‑crime areas.

Current Status

With the arrest of the two suspects and the confirmation that the shooting was an isolated act, the Cordele community is slowly returning to normalcy. The Fox 5 report indicates that the wounded patron, who has not yet released his name, is currently receiving treatment at the University Hospital of West Georgia. Police investigators are continuing to review surveillance footage and witness statements to piece together a full timeline of events.

“We are still looking into potential motives,” Sheriff‑Hughes said. “It could be a personal dispute, robbery, or something else entirely. We’re open to any information the public may have.”

The story concludes with a call for community cooperation: “If anyone has information about this incident, please contact the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office at (229) 555‑1234,” the article notes. The officer’s phone number is provided to facilitate swift communication and evidence gathering.

Bottom Line

The shooting at the Cordele Waffle House has had a chilling effect on the local community, but thanks to the rapid response of law‑enforcement and the cooperation of witnesses, two suspects have been arrested and charged. As the case moves forward through the judicial system, Fox 5 Atlanta has committed to updating the public on any developments. The incident stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of public safety at seemingly innocuous places, and the importance of community vigilance and swift law‑enforcement action.