A man was killed in a shooting at a Cobb County hotel Tuesday morning, according to officials.

Cobb police were called to the Budgetel Inn & Suites on Circle 75 Parkway shortly before noon when someone reported a person had been shot. When they arrived, they found the victim, identified as 26-year-old Demarcus Watson, with a gunshot wound, authorities said.

Officers tried to save his life but were unsuccessful, police said. He died at the scene.

A shooter has not been identified.

The investigation comes three weeks after a hotel employee was shot during an unrelated incident at a Quality Inn along Cobb Place Boulevard just off Barrett Parkway.

Gary Elliott, 26, of Acworth, was charged with aggravated assault and battery, burglary, felony theft and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, according to online jail records. The 48-year-old victim is expected to survive, though the bullets “did cause disfigurement to (the victim’s) face,” according to a warrant for Elliott’s arrest. Officials have not released details about a motive in that shooting.

Anyone with information regarding Tuesday’s shooting is asked to contact the Cobb County Police Department’s tip hotline at 770-499-4111.

About the Author

Featured

Aerial photo shows demonstrators holding signs to oppose Trump’s immigration policies during “No Cake for False Kings” protest on the 17th Street NW Bridge, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC