Gwinnett police seek shooters after botched drug deal

One of those victims, according to neighbors, fled the house and collapsed in a nearby yard. His hands were tied behind his back and he was shouting for help, neighbors said.

The other two other victims were taken out of the house on stretchers. Their conditions were unknown, Spellman said.

Another person with gunshot wounds went to Gwinnett Place mall with a friend. He was found dead in the parking lot near Macy's, Spellman said.

His friend has been taken into custody. Police are not sure which one of them drove to the mall.

Police said they have detained two people.

As of 7 p.m. Monday, officers were still searching for several others, including some who fled in a white van.

Officers found the van about 30 minutes after the shooting, but were unable to locate any other suspects.

Officers declined to say how many were involved, but neighbors said detectives told them there were six suspected shooters.

No suspect descriptions were available Monday.

"There are still other suspects that investigators are working to identify and locate in connection with the white van and this shooting incident," Spellman said.

Police declined to release the identity of the victims or suspects, saying it is part of the investigation.

Neighbors returned from work Monday night to find officers checking cars on Old Norcross Road and crawling through bushes looking for evidence.

Police said several men exchanged gunfire in the house and outside in the driveway. Investigators said they found evidence at the scene to indicate drugs were involved, but the motive is still under investigation.

Several days before the shooting, officers with an Atlanta regional drug task force busted a Buckingham Place house for methamphetamine trafficking, Spellman said. However, she said the shooting and the drug bust do not appear connected.

Neighbors said they heard rapid gunfire Monday morning and saw several people flee the house.

A neighbor, who asked not to be identified because she saw the attack, said she heard multiple rounds and called police.

"I saw two guys jump my fence," she said. "Another guy was across the street and shot in the stomach."

The woman said police told her that at least six people were involved in a drug-related shootout.

Chad Farmer, who lives down the street from the scene of the crime, said the house is vacant. He said he never sees vehicles at the house during the day, but a variety of cars have been there at night.

Farmer said he had the television on Monday morning when he heard gunfire.

"I didn't realize it was outside until I saw the helicopter," he said. "I've lived here three years and never saw any police. My kids play up in here, but for the next few weeks, I'll be keeping my eyes on them."

Earlier in the day, police placed Charles Brant Chesney Elementary under lockdown as they searched the area for suspects.

Around 4 p.m., about a dozen neighbors held hands and prayed as they waited for the school bus to arrive with their children.

"We're praying for the guys shot, praying for the neighborhood and praying for the officers," said Tina Myers, who picked up her 6-year-old son from the bus. "We thought we had great neighbors."

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call CrimeStoppers at 404-577-TIPS.