Off-duty Georgia deputy killed, her son injured in domestic shooting in Forsyth County
A domestic dispute in a quiet Forsyth County neighborhood turned deadly Saturday evening, leaving an off-duty Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Deputy dead and a teenager hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds.
The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Eric Sumner of Suwanee, was apprehended hours later after a multi-county manhunt and high-speed chase on I-75.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident around 7:49 p.m. on September 27, after a 911 call came from a resident of the Villages at Shakerag subdivision. According to officials, a juvenile arrived at a neighbor’s home, bleeding and in distress, reporting that his mother and her boyfriend had been arguing and that the boyfriend was shooting a gun.
The neighbor quickly administered first aid, applying pressure to the teenager’s wounds until emergency responders arrived. The juvenile was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
Upon arrival at the scene, deputies attempted to contact anyone still inside the home but received no response. When law enforcement entered the residence, they discovered the body of a woman, later identified as an off-duty Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Deputy, in an upstairs bedroom. She had succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds.
The suspect had already fled the scene by vehicle.
Following an investigation, Forsyth County investigators identified Eric Sumner as the shooter and tracked his movements southbound on Interstate 75.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office was alerted and located the suspect on the highway. Following a brief pursuit, Sumner was taken into custody without further incident.
He is currently being held by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office pending extradition to Forsyth County. He faces charges of Homicide – Murder and two counts of Aggravated Assault with Intent to Murder. Authorities say additional charges may follow.
The identities of the victims are being withheld until next of kin and law enforcement colleagues are notified. The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation, which remains active and ongoing.
Sheriff Ron Freeman said in a statement:
“The loss of life to violence is senseless, but the loss of a law enforcement officer should hit home to every one of us in a community. I would like to personally thank the Monroe County Georgia Sheriff’s Office for their quick response in capturing this dangerous suspect.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
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