SNELLVILLE, Ga. — An early-morning shooting in Snellville has left one man dead and another behind bars, according to Gwinnett County police. Authorities say a 29-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the killing of a local resident, a violent act that unfolded in a quiet neighborhood during the predawn hours of Sunday.
Police identified the suspect as Derrick Devon Thomas, 29. He is accused of shooting and killing Abel Alejandro Unzicker Chavez, a Hispanic man who lived in the Snellville community. Court documents obtained by Telemundo Atlanta indicate the shooting happened around 3 a.m., when officers were called to reports of gunfire in the area.
Arrest warrants show the crime occurred on Saddle Ridge Drive in Snellville. When officers arrived at the scene, they found an adult male suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. Despite emergency response efforts, the victim did not survive. Authorities later confirmed the deceased was Abel Alejandro Unzicker Chavez.
Gwinnett County police spokesperson Tebin Clack said investigators believe the incident was isolated and involved people who knew each other. “This seems to be an isolated fact,” Clack said. “There is no immediate threat to the public.” He also confirmed that Chavez was a resident of the Snellville area near Centreville Highway.
Details about what led up to the shooting have not yet been released. Police have not said whether the suspect and victim had a prior relationship or what may have caused the deadly encounter. Investigators continue to gather evidence, review the scene, and interview witnesses as they work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Telemundo Atlanta confirmed through Gwinnett County jail records that Derrick Devon Thomas was arrested later the same day. Records show he was booked into jail around 3:32 p.m., just hours after the shooting took place. The arrest brought a swift development in the case, easing concerns among nearby residents.
Authorities say additional details will be shared through an official press release as the investigation continues. While police stress there is no danger to the public, the loss of Abel Alejandro Unzicker Chavez has left a family grieving and a community shaken by sudden violence in the early hours of the morning.
