Gwinnett

UPDATE: Brothers killed, cousin injured in laundry room shooting at Gwinnett apartments

Residents wait in the parking lot of the Park at Peachtree Corners Apartments on Thursday morning while Gwinnett County police investigate a homicide. JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
Residents wait in the parking lot of the Park at Peachtree Corners Apartments on Thursday morning while Gwinnett County police investigate a homicide. JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM
By Chelsea Prince and John Spink
March 22, 2019

Two brothers were killed and their cousin was wounded early Thursday morning when someone opened fire in a laundry room at a Gwinnet County apartment complex, police said.

The Winder family was visiting a relative at the Park at Peachtree Corners Apartments in the 3300 block of Peachtree Corners Circle. They appeared to be washing clothes in the complex’s laundry facility before they were shot around 4 a.m., Gwinnett County police Cpl. Wilbert Rundles told AJC.com.

“The perpetrator came in and began shooting,” he said Thursday from the scene. “There were several shots fired. I don’t have an exact count at this point.”

 

William Thurman, 17, and Billy Roy Thurman, 25, were dead at the scene. Their cousin, identified by police as 27-year-old Beonka Thurman, was shot in the foot and called 911. She was treated for her injuries at a local hospital.

Officers gather at the scene of a double homicide at an apartment complex on Peachtree Corners Circle on Thursday morning.
Officers gather at the scene of a double homicide at an apartment complex on Peachtree Corners Circle on Thursday morning.

The apartment complex, which is located off Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Peachtree Corners, is gated, and Rundles said investigators don’t know how the shooter got in. It does not appear there was an exchange of gunfire, he said.

“What led to it or could have been involved with it, we're looking into that still,” he said.

 

Detectives canvassed the complex Thursday morning looking for witnesses. Police said on Friday the motive behind the deadly shooting is still unknown. No arrests have been made.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Gwinnett County 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.

— Please return to AJC.com for updates.

About the Authors

Chelsea Prince is reporter and coach on the breaking news team.

John Spink is a multi-platform photojournalist with the breaking news team. He provides compelling photos, video and audio from breaking news events for the AJC and media partners WSB Channel 2 Action News & WSB Radio

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