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Written by: A. Smith
Published November 4, 2025 @ 9:26 AM ET
CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. – A 48-year-old man has been charged with murder after police say he fatally stabbed an 18-year-old during an altercation outside a Walmart in Chatham County.
The Chatham County Police Department said the stabbing happened around 5:50 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the Walmart on Highway 80. When officers arrived, they found 18-year-old J.T. Schroeder suffering from multiple stab wounds and lacerations. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Investigators said the confrontation began when Delano Middleton, 48, was leaving the store with a shopping cart and Schroeder allegedly kicked it as he passed by. Police said the brief encounter escalated into violence, ending with Schroeder being stabbed several times.
Middleton was arrested shortly after the incident and initially charged with aggravated assault. Following Schroeder’s death, the charge was upgraded to murder, according to court records. He remains in custody at the Chatham County Detention Center.
Court filings show Middleton has a prior criminal history, including arrests for aggravated assault, battery, and weapons violations in 2021 and 2023.
Family members said Schroeder had been on life support for several days before passing away. His father, who rushed to the scene the night of the stabbing, told WJCL 22 News that his son was “never confrontational unless he was confronted first.”
“I got over there as fast as I could and saw blood everywhere,” he said. “He was literally stabbed over ten times until he finally bled out and died.”
Schroeder’s father said his son’s legacy will live on through others, as he was an organ donor and participated in a hero’s walk before donation.
The investigation remains ongoing, police said.