An 18-year-old man who was critically injured Tuesday night in a drive-by shooting in Gwinnett County was identified as the son of a pastor who was deported after fighting with Lilburn police in 2018.
Angel Cruz was rushed to a hospital after being shot in the head while inside a house in the 3100 block of Dunlin Way, Gwinnett police said. Investigators believe he was the target of the shooting, adding that they believe the incident is connected to gang activity.
Authorities were first called to the neighborhood off Lawrenceville Highway just after 9 p.m. They worked through the night to interview witnesses and collect evidence from the scene.
“At this time, the shooting is believed to be a drive-by,” police spokesman Cpl. Collin Flynn said in a news release. “The motive for the shooting is possibly gang related.”
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Cruz is the son of Wilmer Cruz Sr. and his wife Cristina Cruz, Channel 2 Action News reported. Both of them, along with their oldest son, Wilmer Cruz Jr., were convicted of aggravated assault on a police officer after a high-profile brawl in March 2018 that was captured on video.
The three got into a fight with Lilburn police officers over a teenage girl who had been reported missing, AJC.com previously reported.
MORE: Gwinnett minister, wife, sons brawl with police during missing child rescue
The officers went to the parking lot of the Iglesia Cristiana Evangelica church, where Cruz Sr. was the minister, in search of the missing girl. The girl, who was dating one of the minister’s sons, was found in a car parked at the church.
Things quickly took a violent turn when officers attempted to remove the girl from the car. The Cruz family began to fight the officers, leading to an officer attempting to use his Taser on Cruz Sr.
As this happened, Cristina Cruz grabbed the Taser and pointed it at the officer. She dropped it after the officer drew his gun and told her to let it go. One officer had his head slammed against a church door and was choked by Cruz Sr.
RELATED: Gwinnett minister, son plead guilty in brawl with police
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
Credit: Channel 2 Action News
The incident led to the three adults and a juvenile son being arrested. Cruz Sr. and Cruz Jr. both pleaded guilty in July, with Cruz Sr. being deported. His son was given first-offender status, receiving seven years of probation.
Cristina Cruz’s case made it to court in September, when she was convicted of four charges and sentenced to five years in prison.
MORE: Minister's wife to serve 5 years for swiping Taser, aiming at Lilburn cop
Angel and his siblings were under the care of Cruz Jr. in the home off Dunlin Way, according to Channel 2. He told the news station that his brother is not doing well and is being kept alive by a machine at the hospital. An update on his condition was not available Wednesday afternoon.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Gwinnett police 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.
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