ADEL — A man wanted for an armed robbery in Lowndes County has been linked to the Dec. 14 attempted armed robbery at an Adel convenience store, which left one dead and another seriously wounded.

The Adel Police Department and Georgia Bureau of Investigation have issued an arrest warrant for Derek McKinnon, of Valdosta, for murder in connection with the shooting death of 55-year-old Adel store owner Dasharatbhai Patel.

McKinnon is also wanted by the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the Dec. 30 armed robbery at a convenience store on U.S. 41 near Dasher.

McKinnon remains at large and is considered dangerous, according to authorities.

The Dec. 14 shooting stemmed from an armed robbery attempt at Quick Stop, formerly the Holiday Market, located at 413 S. Hutchinson Ave., Adel. The incident occurred at 9:01 p.m., reports state.

Adel police officers responded to the scene, with assistance from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Cook County emergency-medical services, to find two people injured from gunshot wounds.

According to preliminary reports, one victim was shot in the chest. The other was shot in the face.

The victims were transported to South Georgia Medical Center, where the elder Patel was pronounced dead. His 19-year-old son, Tapan Patel, was treated and then transferred to an undisclosed medical facility.

The initial investigation indicated that an unidentified male entered the store with a gun. He was wearing gloves and a ski mask at the time, according to the GBI.

After a brief encounter with the victims, the male offender shot both men and fled the scene.

Anyone with information on McKinnon’s whereabouts should call the Adel Police Department, (229) 896-2224; the GBI Douglas Office, (912) 389-4103; or the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, (229) 671-2900.