Arrest Made in Kimberly Whaley Murder as Loganville Police Announce Major Breakthrough

LOGANVILLE, Ga. — After more than five months of investigation, the Loganville Police Department announced Monday that a suspect has been arrested and charged in the murder of Kimberly Whaley, the CVS employee who was shot and killed in broad daylight outside her workplace in November.

During a press conference held Monday afternoon at Loganville Police Headquarters, Chief Dick Lowry confirmed that Evander Derrell Choates, 28, of Loganville, has been charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and pointing a pistol at another. The arrest represents the first major breakthrough in a case that has remained a focus of concern and attention throughout the community since the day of the shooting.

Earlier in the day, the department issued a notice stating it would provide a “significant update” on the investigation. That update came hours later with the announcement of Choates’ arrest, a development officials said reflects the time and effort required to build a case that can withstand scrutiny in court.

“There’s a big difference in believing someone is guilty… and being able to prove it in a court of law,” Lowry said during the press conference, emphasizing the standard investigators must meet before moving forward with charges.

Authorities confirmed that Choates was identified early in the investigation and was initially detained shortly after the shooting. However, he was later released when investigators determined they did not yet have sufficient probable cause to pursue charges.

“We were not able to develop sufficient probable cause to make an arrest at that time,” Lowry said.

In the months that followed, detectives continued to work the case, executing 24 search warrants, conducting dozens of interviews, reviewing extensive surveillance footage from surrounding businesses, and analyzing hundreds of pages of documentation and forensic evidence. The investigation involved coordination with multiple agencies, including the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and federal partners such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Secret Service.

Lowry acknowledged the length of time it took to reach this point but expressed confidence in the case now being presented.

“I hate that it took five months,” he said. “The case that we have, I am extraordinarily confident.”

Kimberly Whaley, 62, was shot and killed on November 14, 2025, as she arrived for her shift at the CVS pharmacy on Atlanta Highway in Loganville. According to investigators, she had left her home minutes earlier and was shot in the parking lot next to her vehicle, never making it inside the store.

Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot and seeing a silver Chrysler 300 leaving the area behind the CVS. Investigators later used surveillance footage from nearby businesses along with FLOCK license plate reader technology to track the vehicle to Lawrenceville.

Authorities have stated that Whaley was not robbed and that nothing was taken from her or her vehicle.

“He didn’t take anything from her,” her husband, Owen Whaley, said previously. “He just pulls up, shoots her, and leaves.”

Whaley had worked as a pharmacy technician at CVS for seven years and was described by her husband as someone who took pride in her work and cared deeply about the people she served.

“She went above and beyond at her job and made people feel like family,” he said.

The couple had been married for 18 years and were planning to retire and move to Florida.

During the press conference, Lowry also addressed the intense public interest in the case and the criticism that surfaced in the months following the shooting, particularly on social media. He said investigators remained focused on building a solid case rather than responding to speculation.

“We cannot investigate homicide cases on Facebook,” Lowry said. “There is a huge difference between the right to know, the need to know and the want to know.”

He added that while it was difficult not to respond publicly to criticism, protecting the integrity of the investigation had to remain the priority.

“Today, we delivered the results that we were after,” he said.

Investigators confirmed that Whaley and Choates did not know each other and that the shooting is not believed to be a case of mistaken identity. Authorities declined to release additional details about a possible motive, citing the ongoing nature of the case.

In closing remarks, Lowry addressed the Whaley family directly, acknowledging both their loss and the significance of the arrest.

“To the Whaley family, there is nothing we can do to bring your loved one back,” he said. “Step one to make sure your family receives justice starts today.”

While the arrest marks a major milestone, officials emphasized that the case remains active as it moves forward through the legal process. Anyone with additional information is still encouraged to contact the Loganville Police Department.

For the Whaley family and the Loganville community, Monday’s announcement represents a significant step forward — the result of months of investigation and a move toward accountability in a case that has deeply impacted the city.