Security camera footage shows this individual in the gray hoodie entering Centerville's Walmart Sunday evening before a fire broke out, leading to flame and smoke damage, and the evacuation of the store.  Fire officials said in a press release this morning, "We are not calling him a suspect at this point, but believe that he may have seen something that could be helpful in solving the case." 

The fire was set in a rack of clothing near the men's section in the middle of the building. Employees moved quickly with extinguishers to douse the blaze while also getting shoppers and crew members to safety.  Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge commended store employees for their quick response, saying, "The staff did a good job of getting everyone out safe and with helping to contain the fire".

No one was hurt, and the fire did not get beyond the area where it started.  However, smoke spread to a larger area and was the cause of most of the damage within the store.  

If you have information on the cause of this fire, or know this person of interest, please contact the Gwinnett Fire Investigation Section at 678.518.4890 or the Georgia Arson Control Hot Line at 1.800.282.5804.  A reward is offered by Georgia Arson Control for information leading to the arrest and conviction of someone responsible for arson, which is a felony.  

They’re serious.  The prayer team from Snellville United Methodist Church is balancing this day of pranks with some time for prayer.  Just drive up to the front door this afternoon between 4:30 and 6pm, and a team member will pray for your needs.  Even if you don’t know what to say.

Project leader Ann Wright knows, “Sometimes people don’t have the words because they’re so close to a situation.  They need somebody to share their burdens, to stand in the gap for them.  We’ve all needed that at one time or another.  So maybe today we can be the tongue for them.”

Wright’s team already had one session this morning, and prayed with several people.  Common themes were health and financial needs, but they heard the entire spectrum of human need.

“I haven’t always been a praying person,” Wright says, but learned its importance early on.  “I began going to a Bible study when I was 20,” she says, “a small group of about 7 or 8, and these people were prayer warriors.  They knew how to pray.  I felt it and I knew.”

Now, Wright knows it’s the one act of service she can always do.  “I don’t have a lot of money or possessions to offer, but I can always pray.”

Drive-Thru prayer was a regular ministry at Snellville UMC long ago, but the minister who started it got a church appointment in Marietta and the unusual outreach has been dormant until today.

On May 1st, the National Day of prayer, the prayer team will welcome the community for prayer again, this time in the chapel of Snellville UMC.  The chapel is being restored to its 1940’s beauty and will be open May first for prayer.

The prayer drive-thru is open today between 4:30 and 6 pm.  Snellville UMC is near the intersection of 124 on Highway 78 at 2428 Main Street East, Snellville 30078.