Former Marine found hurt in Cobb after party dies

A former Marine who served two tours of duty in Iraq died Sunday of severe head injuries he sustained after a party in a Cobb County apartment complex.

Zach Gamble was found unconscious and lying in the parking lot of the Concord Crossing apartments near Smyrna the early morning of March 25.

The 34-year-old Acworth man was taken to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, where he underwent brain surgery. He never regained consciousness. An official cause of death will be determined by the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office.

“We can confirm he was taken off life support yesterday,” Cobb County police Sgt. Dana Pierce told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday.

Gamble’s mother, Tina Robbins of Gainesville, told the AJC that her son died at Wellstar Kennestone at 3:52 p.m. Sunday.

“The doctors said it was the worst head injury they’d ever seen,” comparable to a gunshot wound, Robbins said. Now, she said, “we really just want the police to investigate and find out exactly who did this, this heinous crime.”

A reward of up to $2,500 is available to anyone who calls Crime Stoppers Atlanta, 404-577-8477, with information leading to an arrest in the case, police said. Tips can be made anonymously at this number.

People with information also can call Cobb County police Detective John Dawes, 770-499-3945.

She said Gamble worked as a buyer for the international accounts of Uni-Select, an auto parts distributor. He is survived by a 7-year-old son, Luke; a sister, Nikki Gamble of Acworth, and a stepfather, Leon Robbins of Gainesville.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Woodstock Funeral Home, 8855 Main St., Woodstock.

Asked how her son would have wanted to be remembered, Tina Robbins said, “as a faithful dad and son and brother.”

About 6 a.m. March 25, Zach Gamble was discovered by a taxi driver who accidentally struck him, but police have said they believe the victim’s most serious injuries were not caused by the taxi.

Tina Robbins said the family believes someone struck Gamble in the back of the head, fatally injuring him. Gamble had been at a party in the apartment complex earlier in the evening, and witnesses reported hearing a loud argument before the man was found lying on the ground.

The man's family  has set up a Facebook page, “Justice for Zach Gamble,” seeking information about the incident that could lead to a suspect’s arrest.

“The response has been really good, as far as getting the word out,” Robbins said.

The family also has set up an online petition at the change.org website urging the Georgia Attorney General's Office to investigate.