16-year-old allegedly shot, killed friend after argument over video game controller

Gabriel Martinez Cruz, 16, allegedly killed his friend, Gonzalo Lamar Gonzalez-Abara, 17, at the Lakeside Mobile Home Park off Bankhead Highway in Lithia Springs around 12:45 a.m. Monday.

A 16-year-old is behind bars and a 17-year-old is dead after an argument over a video game controller broke out in Douglas County over the weekend, authorities said.

Gabriel Martinez Cruz, 16, of Lithia Springs, is charged as an adult after allegedly shooting and killing Gonzalo Lamar Gonzalez-Ibarra at the Lakeside Mobile Home Park early Monday, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Gonzalo Lamar Gonzalez-Ibarra

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

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Credit: Channel 2 Action News

The incident happened about 12:45 a.m. at the trailer park off Bankhead Highway, the release said.

The argument led Cruz to allegedly grab a handgun and shoot Gonzalez-Ibarra before running away. Several other teenagers were in the home at the time of the shooting. It’s unclear what prompted the argument.

The victim’s mother, Tammy Gonzalez, told Channel 2 Action News she believes her son’s death was the result of a robbery. She said he was spending the night with friends.

Cruz was arrested on charges of malice murder and tampering with evidence, the release said.

No other details have been released.

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