A $5,000 reward is being offered to help find the man suspected of shooting three people to death and wounding a fourth, Gwinnett County police said Thursday.
Crime Stoppers Atlanta is offering the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of 33-year-old Robert E. Bell, most recently of the Snellville area. Investigators believe they have the weapon used in the Sept. 15 shootings and the suspect’s vehicle, but the suspect has eluded capture.
Police believe Bell had an assault rifle and was waiting for Angelina Benton, 34, Benton’s 12-year-old son, Joseph McDonald, her 19-year-old godson, Raynard Daniel, and her boyfriend, Justin Cato, to return to Benton’s Anderson-Livsey Road home after a weekend trip. Benton had recently opened up her home to Bell, according to police.
The boy and teen were shot moments after walking through the door of the home, according to Cpl. Deon Washington with Gwinnett police. Benton didn’t make it inside the home and collapsed in a neighbor’s yard after being shot four times, police said. Cato was shot in the leg and survived his injuries.
“They were pretty much ambushed when they got home,” Washington said Tuesday.
Police believe Bell then attempted to leave the home in his SUV. But Benton, who had driven the SUV on the trip, was still clutching the keys, according to police.
“We’re assuming that his intentions were to leave,” Washington said.
But instead of driving, Bell allegedly left the home on foot, leaving his SUV behind with two guns in the back, police said. Investigators have not determined whether Bell got access to another vehicle, but he is believed to have ties to the Chicago, Albany, Ga., and Crossville, Tenn., areas.
Once arrested, Bell is expected to be charged with three counts of felony murder and one count of aggravated assault, Gwinnett police said. Bell is considered armed and dangerous, and anyone with information is urged to call detectives at 770-513-5300.
Detectives have received several tips already, but nothing that indicates specifically where Bell might be, police said Thursday. Detectives have not been able to narrow down which city or state Bell might be in. Tipsters may remain anonymous and can provide tips by visiting www.crimestoppersatlanta.org or by calling 404-557-8477.
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