Man fears brother’s 2016 shooting death may never be solved

Police say Herbert “Buster” Perkinson III was kidnapped, shot and left for dead on the side of Interstate 75 in January 2016.

The brother of a man kidnapped and shot to death nearly two years ago prays the killers will be caught — and recently released suspect sketches could be the key to cracking the case.

Thursday will be the second Thanksgiving the family shares without Herbert "Buster" Perkinson, who was kidnapped from his driveway in Emerson, shot and dumped on I-75, Gary McCoy told Channel 2 Action News.

“My fear was one day waking up 20 years from now thinking this was going to be a cold case and this will be never be solved,” McCoy told the news station.

Perkinson was found Jan. 17, 2016, on the side of I-75, north of Exit 277 in Cherokee County. The Bartow County man had been shot and he later died in a hospital.

McCoy said celebrating without Buster, who was one of his five brothers and three sisters, gets harder every year.

“I cant tell you how many times that the conversation has went from laughter to sorrow to tears,” McCoy told Channel 2.

Sketches of suspects in the January 2016 shooting death of Herbert "Buster" Perkinson. (Credit: Kelly Lawson / GBI)

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Georgia Bureau of Investigation Agent Bahan Rich said investigators believe the men who kidnapped and killed Perkinson were familiar with him.

Perkinson sold pit bull type dogs and investigators believe his business may be tied to his death.

Sketches of suspects who may be Bartow County residents are the best hope to solicit tips from the community.

“We still have faith,” McCoy said. “We are a family of faith that he or she will be brought to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, text information to 274637 or visit crimestoppersatlanta.org. Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000.

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