Gwinnett County police are investigating a second fatal shooting Friday, just hours after a man was killed outside a Latino supermarket in Norcross, authorities said.
The circumstances around both shootings are similar, but police said the incidents are not related.
The second shooting took place around midday outside of the Budgetel Inn and Suites in Lilburn at 4350 Stone Mountain Highway, Gwinnett police spokesman Sgt. Collin Flynn said. The location is near the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary and less than half a mile from Shiloh Elementary School.
A 911 caller reported a shooting in the rear parking lot of the building, and responding officers found a man there suffering from “at least one” gunshot wound, according to Flynn.
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
The man was taken to the hospital but later died of his injuries. He was identified as 60-year-old Victor Ricks by police.
Investigators determined Ricks, of Snellville, appeared to have been shot by 57-year-old Hugh Forman, who did not remain at the scene, Flynn said. Police believe the two men knew each other.
Later Friday, Forman was arrested and booked into the Gwinnett jail on charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and first-degree cruelty to children, according to online records.
The first shooting took place a few hours earlier and about 10 miles away.
Around 7:45 a.m., officers were called to the Supermercado Mexicano at 4169 Jimmy Carter Boulevard after getting reports of gunshots at the store, Flynn said. Police found a man suffering from a gunshot wound in front of the market and took him to the hospital, where he died.
The victim has not been publicly identified. Store managers told investigators he was a regular at the market, Flynn said.
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Investigators believe the victim was standing in front of the store when he was approached by another man, according to Flynn. The two men spoke before the suspect pulled out a gun and shot the victim, Flynn said. The suspect then fled.
Officers and K-9 units set up a perimeter and canvassed the area around the strip mall where Supermercado Mexicano is located, Flynn said. Though the armed suspect has not been located, Flynn said there was no indication of a threat to public safety. The area is not known for a “significant criminal history,” Flynn said.
Officials are not releasing further information about the victim until his next of kin can be notified, Flynn said. Police did not provide a description of that suspect.
Anyone with information about either case is asked to contact detectives at 770-513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrimeATL.com. Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the supermarket case.
