A 70-year-old man was with his family Sunday evening when someone opened fire outside his Norcross home.
Michelle Garcia, the granddaughter of victim Richard St. John, told Channel 2 Action News she heard at least two dozen gunshots. When she emerged from the home on Brittney Way to check out the gunfire, she tried to pull her grandfather to safety. It was too late.
Garcia said she held her grandfather as he died. His last words were of his late wife, who died of cancer in 2017, and his son.
“I just want to be with mama, and I love you and Bobby,” Garcia told the news station Monday.
Several family members and children were gathered in the front yard about 8:30 p.m. Sunday when bullets started flying, Channel 2 reported. Gwinnett County police have not released any additional details about the deadly shooting or said what may have motivated it.
According to family, St. John’s car and fence was recently tagged with spray paint.
“When you think about it, it doesn’t seem real,” his son, Robert St. John, told Channel 2. “I just can’t understand why.”
Gwinnett police are asking anyone with information to contact detectives at 770-513-5300.
Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
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