Man Accused of Stabbing Teen Who Allegedly Kicked His Shopping Cart at Walmart Was on Probation for Prior Stabbing By Liam Quinn

The man accused of fatally stabbing an 18-year-old who allegedly kicked his shopping cart at a Georgia Walmart was on probation at the time of the incident.

Delano Middleton is charged with murder in connection with the Oct. 23 killing of J.T. Schroeder, according to court records. It is not immediately clear if he’s entered a plea.

The Chatham County Police Department said Schroeder kicked Middleton’s shopping cart as the latter exited the store.

Schroeder suffered multiple stab wounds and lacerations and died four days later, police said.

Middleton previously pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in 2023 and was on probation at the time of the Walmart stabbing, state court records reviewed by PEOPLE indicate.

The aggravated assault charge stemmed from a 2021 indictment that accused him of stabbing a woman.

According to a sentencing document, Middleton was sentenced to two years in prison and eight years of probation. Prosecutors have since petitioned to have his probation revoked.

Middleton, who was arrested in 2021, was given credit for time served, leading to his release from prison at the time.

WTOC spoke to Erica Young, who identified herself as the victim of the 2021 assault and said she was stabbed four times.

“I asked him if he needed help finding his vehicle, and he shoved a cart over on top of me and just started stabbing me,” Young told the outlet.

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Schroeder’s father, also named J.T., told WJCL that the claim his son kicked a shopping cart failed to tell the full story.

“My son was never, ever confrontational unless he was confronted first,” the elder Schroeder told the outlet.

WTOC reported that the younger Schroeder was an organ donor.

“Although losing J.T. was devastating, let this bring light to becoming an organ donor,” Dr. James Dunne told the outlet. “So if there’s one message I want to communicate to the community is, please consider that. We don’t get, as individuals, get a chance to save someone’s life. But this is one way in which we all can save multiple lives.”