Gang member wanted in Gwinnett grandfather’s shooting death, cops say

Jose Aldo Sanchez-Vazquez

Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department

Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department

Jose Aldo Sanchez-Vazquez

Authorities are searching for a man described as a gang member by police after Gwinnett County investigators accused him of shooting and killing a 70-year-old grandfather last month.

Jose Aldo Sanchez-Vazquez has active murder warrants in the death of Richard St. John, who was gunned down outside of his Norcross home May 24, AJC.com previously reported. The victim was attending a family gathering at the time.

RELATED: Gwinnett grandfather gunned down at family gathering

Gwinnett police announced the murder warrants Wednesday, along with an aggravated assault charge and a firearm-related charge against Sanchez-Vazquez, according to a news release. Police said his motive appears to be gang-related, but specifics were not provided.

About two dozen bullets were fired at the victim’s house about 8:30 p.m. as family members and children were gathered in the front lawn of the Brittney Way home.

His granddaughter, Michelle Garcia, said his last words were of his late wife, who died of cancer in 2017.

“I just want to be with mama, and I love you and Bobby,” Garcia told Channel 2 Action News the day after her grandfather’s homicide.

Garcia said Richard St. John?s wife had died in 2017 from cancer. She said he had his late wife on his mind as he said his last words.

Police have not released any other information on the incident.

Anyone with information on Sanchez-Vazquez is asked to call 911 or contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477 or online at www.StopCrimeATL.com. Tips can be sent anonymously and information that leads to an arrest and indictment in this investigation can earn tipsters up to $2,000.

In other news:

Police are still searching for the shooter