A teenager is facing murder charges after he allegedly choked a man with a television cable at their Gwinnett County home before stabbing the victim’s unconscious body with a knife several times, authorities said Thursday.
Gwinnett police responded at around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday to a call in the 3200 block of Ivy Birch Way, a residential neighborhood located northwest of I-85 near Buford. At the scene, officers began looking for anyone in distress after a caller stated they heard loud noises and someone “grunting” for help, police said.
After noticing lights on at a house in the neighborhood, officers told the occupants to come to the door and saw a man who looked like he had been in a fight, police said. Officers detained the occupants and went inside the house, where they found a man’s body. The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
On Thursday, police said they arrested and charged 19-year-old Erik Ruiz Lopez in the killing. Lopez had been detained after the incident, and is believed to be the sole suspect, police said.
According to investigators, Lopez and the victim got into a fight in their shared bedroom. Police said Lopez choked the man until he fell unconscious. He then left the room, returned with a knife and stabbed the victim several times, according to authorities.
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Credit: Gwinnett County Police Department
Lopez was booked into the Gwinnett jail Wednesday morning on charges of felony murder, murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime, according to online records. He is being held without bond.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 770-513-5300. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards, by contacting Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
