What started as a routine crash call on a Gwinnett County street turned into a homicide scene Friday night, after officers discovered a driver had been shot to death behind the wheel.
Police say officers were dispatched to the 2900 block of Spruce Circle around 10 p.m., after a caller reported that a vehicle had crashed into his car and that the other driver was unconscious. When officers arrived, they found the driver already dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators have not released the victim’s identity.
As reported by Atlanta News First, homicide detectives are canvassing the area and interviewing witnesses as they work to sort out what happened. The outlet reports that the victim’s identity has not yet been made public. Authorities say they want anyone who saw or heard anything around the time of the crash to come forward.
Homicide investigation underway
The Gwinnett County Police Department is leading the probe, and its police services page outlines how residents can obtain reports and contact investigators. The county notes that accident report status can be checked by calling 770-513-5000, and that precincts throughout Gwinnett can take reports in person.
Detectives say they are working to piece together how the crash and the shooting are connected, and what unfolded on Spruce Circle before the 10 p.m. call for help.
How to report a tip
Atlanta News First reports that anyone with information is asked to call Gwinnett County police at 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477). Tipsters can remain anonymous through Crime Stoppers, and law-enforcement partners sometimes offer rewards for information that leads to arrests.
If you were in the area Friday night, investigators say even seemingly minor details could help them reconstruct the moments before and after the crash.
Local context
The shooting is the latest violent incident in Gwinnett County this year, following the Feb. 1 shooting that killed Gwinnett County officer Pradeep Tamang while he was responding to a call, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That case prompted a large investigation and strong public reaction, and police leaders say they are treating every new homicide with urgency.
The investigation into the Spruce Circle crash and shooting remains active, and police say more information will be released as detectives follow leads. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gwinnett County Police Department’s homicide unit or Crime Stoppers.
