Regional Roundup: Scantily Clad Santas, Murder Case Arrest, and Walmart Statement on Death of Shoplifting Suspect

Santa Speedo Run to Streak through Midtown – Midtown Patch

Back for a fourth year, the Atlanta Santa Speedo Run is bigger than ever with a focused goal in 2012 of raising $150,000 for CURE Childhood Cancer, a non-profit dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support.

Since its inception, the Atlanta Santa Speedo Run has more than tripled in size and contributions to local charities. This year, the event will again push the envelope with more festive attire and more scantily clad men and women running down the frosty streets of Midtown.

Read more on Midtown Patch.

Walmart: Incident at Lithonia Store 'Truly a Sad Situation' – Stone Mountain Patch

Following the death of shoplifting suspect at the Walmart on Fairington Road in Lithonia early Sunday, Nov. 25—after a reported fight in the store's parking lot involving employees and a third-party security officer—company spokeswoman Dianna Gee provided this statement to Patch:

“This is truly a sad situation. We don’t know all of the facts right now. We’re in the process of working with law enforcement to determine all of the facts and cooperating and providing any information we have to assist in the investigation.

“The two associates involved in the incident are currently suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. The third party security officer involved will no longer be providing services to us.”

Stone Mountain Patch has additional details.

Atlanta Police Make Arrest in Grant Park Murder – East Atlanta Patch

It was a case that left Grant Park rattled.

Not just because of the brazen manner in which David McReynolds was shot in the chest on Hill Street on July 26.

But because it seemed so senseless, random and heinously cruel to leave a man to die in the street on an otherwise ordinary Thursday afternoon.

On Monday, Atlanta police announced investigators have made an arrest in the case: Andre Juvell Byrd, 22, is charged with murder.

East Atlanta Patch has more on this story.