September 21st, 2023 – 4:30 PM
Hiriam Police Department Press Release :
“At approximately 7:22 pm, Wednesday, September 20, 2023, Officers of the Hiram Police Department responded to a call of shots fired in the Walmart located at 4166 Jimmy Lee Smith Road. Officers arrived to find members of the public fleeing the building. Officers entered the building to look for the source of the shots fired and between isles, the officers found two people who appeared to have been shot.
The senior officer on the scene took control of a handgun found with the two people and summoned medical assistance and additional law enforcement support, which was provided by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office. The rest of the store was checked for other victims or suspects, but none were located.
Lifesaving measures were initiated by the initial responding officers and continued with medical and fire personnel as they arrived. Due to their critical conditions, both persons were transported to Kennestone Hospital where both succumbed to their injuries.
Initial investigation indicates that the deceased had previously been involved in a relationship, which had ended. It appears that the male subject approached the female and there was a brief conversation, which did not appear to be angry or animated. The male then pulled a handgun and shot the female and then turned the weapon on himself. The male was an employee of Walmart.
The Hiram Police Department has no record of any previous calls from either person about domestic violence or threats prior to this incident. The people involved are identified below:
Zoey Nicole Messenger, Age 20, Hiram address; and,
James Wyatt Nicholas Norton, Age 26, Hiram address.
The Hiram Police Department would like to extend its deepest condolences to both families. Domestic violence is a senseless crime and should be reported through 911. If not, assistance is always available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
The investigation into this matter continues.”