SOUTH FORSYTH — The Federal Bureau of Investigation is asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects in a series of armed robberies at Walmarts around the metro Atlanta area, including one in Forsyth County in which a gun was fired.

Special Agent in Charge J. Britt Johnson is working about eight armed robberies of Walmarts that have occurred since May and are believed by law enforcement to be related.

Suspects have conducted the robberies in similar methods for all incidents, according to an FBI Atlanta news release.

Between 10 p.m. and midnight, an armed suspect wearing a surgical mask has entered the store brandishing a firearm and robbed the nearest cashier.

In at least two of the robberies, it is believed there was a black female posing as a customer inside the store to coordinate efforts with the armed suspect prior to the actual robbery. She then left then store after the robbery.

The possibility exists that there may be two different female accomplices serving as lookouts.

The FBI described the armed suspect as a black man, about 5-feet-5-inches tall and wearing a surgical/dust mask as a disguise.

Just before 11 p.m. on Oct. 7, one of three suspects entered the Wal-Mart at 2395 Peachtree Parkway in south Forsyth. He was wearing what was described at the time by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office as a white and blue surgical mask.

He reportedly confronted employees who were collecting money from cash registers and supposedly fired a black semi-automatic handgun into the floor before leaving with an undisclosed amount of money.

According to surveillance footage and witness reports, he was observed riding off in a black sedan, possibly a Toyota, driven by a black woman.

A third suspect was observed inside the store during the incident, “possibly acting as a lookout.”

There were no injuries reported in the incident.

Other area Wal-Mart locations that have fallen victim to similar armed robberies include:

* May 15: 8424 Mall Parkway, Lithonia

* Aug. 11: 970 Mansell Road, Roswell

* Aug. 18: 4725 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody

* Sept. 13: 7050 Highway 85, Riverdale

* Sept. 21: 8424 Mall Parkway, Lithonia

* Sept. 26: 4975 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Norcross

* Oct. 1: 6152 Covington Hwy., Lithonia

Investigations are being handled by the FBI, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and DeKalb, Dunwoody, Riverdale and Roswell police departments.