Investigators believe an altercation at a Cobb County gas station escalated to a shooting that killed a young father. Though the suspected gunman fled the scene, police were able to identify and track him to an Austell apartment.
Gregory Gabriel, 26, died June 17 after being shot multiple times at a Texaco on Mableton Parkway north of South Gordon Road, Cobb police previously said. Officers were called to the gas station about 9:45 p.m.
The following day, investigators identified David Nesbit Jr. of Douglasville as the suspect, but could not immediately locate him, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday. The agency requested the help of the U.S. Marshals Service in locating Nesbit.
On June 30, investigators tracked Nesbit to an Austell apartment, and his girlfriend confirmed he was there, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Nesbit refused to answer and comply,” authorities said in an Instagram post. “At that time all of the other occupants of the residence were then evacuated safely and law enforcement started making entry into the bedroom area and Nesbit emerged and was taken into custody without further incident.”
Nesbit was charged with murder and two counts of aggravated assault. He was being held without bond Thursday at the Cobb jail.
Gabriel, a Charlotte, N.C., native, was a 2012 graduate of Stone Mountain High School, according to an online obituary.
“He enjoyed playing basketball and football while being a fan of both college and professional sports teams,” the obituary states.
Gabriel became a father in October, according to the obituary.
