A Snellville man now faces a murder charge after he shot and killed his neighbor during a home invasion, Gwinnett County police said.
Kyle Rubio's family took him off life support and donated his organs Wednesday, according to a post on a GoFundMe page, just days after police say Brannon Walker shot him at the victim's Loganville home.
“The lead detective has secured a warrant for felony murder against Walker,” Gwinnett police Cpl. Michele Pihera said Thursday.
Walker, 35, claimed self-defense in the Sunday afternoon shooting, but Gwinnett police said the evidence determined that wasn’t the case. He also faces a charge of first-degree home invasion.
Family and friends who witnessed the shooting told Channel 2 Action News that Walker was there to confront Rubio, 24, about a $200 debt the victim owed him.
“He was trying to kick the door down and Kyle heard it, so from what I hear, Kyle grabbed a baseball bat and the gun went off faster than he could swing,” Rubio’s sister Kyleigh told Channel 2.
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Pihera said Walker called 911 immediately following the shooting and told the operator he shot in self-defense. Walker then waited for officers to arrive.
Police declined to release further details about the case.
In court Tuesday, Walker’s sister Cecilia Howard insisted her brother shot in self-defense.
“He said that was his friend and he's very concerned right now because he didn't intend for any of this to happen,” Howard said.
Walker was denied bond at the hearing.
But Kyleigh Rubio told Channel 2 that’s not enough.
“I hope he never forgets what he did,” she said. “I hope my brother haunts him in his sleep for the rest of his life.”
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