Latest news with #Channel2GwinnettCountyBureau
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
4 trees fall on same house in Gwinnett County during metro Atlanta storms
Storm clean up in the metro Atlanta area continues with some trees still on top of houses across the area. That includes one house in Gwinnett County, where four trees fell on the same house. Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson was near Lawrenceville where the trees came down, and thankfully, the family that lived in the home was able to escape. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Ashley Laine Walk, a flooded creek behind the home helped the four trees fall on the house this past weekend during the storms that swept through. The storms left a trail of destruction across Gwinnett County, and tree and roofing companies have been busy keeping up with the damage. TRENDING STORIES: Body found 30 years ago in Atlanta identified as 15-year-old girl Hundreds of laid-off CDC employees are being reinstated 'Senseless': Brothers, ages 13 and 14, accused of Clayton party shooting, posting it to social media 'It was just a catastrophic scene at a lot of these places,' Lunden Bailey, of Bailey Roofing Restoration, told Channel 2 Action News. Bailey said his teams were slammed, helping multiple families impacted by the storm. The damage spread throughout the Lawrenceville area. On Hunters Creek Court, neighbors saw the storm's power up close. 'We looked at the backyard and tree down on this side and tree down on the right side that went into a neighbor's roof,' Cristen Safrit said. This week's forecast includes more severe weather, so Bailey said it's good to have someone take a look at the trees closest to your home. 'If a severe storm comes in, there's no way of telling if it's deeply rooted or not,' Bailey said. 'That can possibly cause harm to your house.' At the home on Ashley Laine Walk, there's still clean up left to do, once crews can go inside and really assess and restore the damage on the inside. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
2 shootings at Snellville park leave people injured, families traumatized
City leaders in Snellville are vowing to increase security at a popular park after two shootings over the weekend left six people shot. Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson spoke to a witness who said he and his family ran for their lives at Briscoe Park on Saturday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Another shooting happened Sunday by the softball fields, forcing families to again duck for cover and run. Multiple police officers were making the rounds at the park Monday. 'Stray bullets were flying. My kids could have got hit. I could have got hit. My wife could have got hit,' said witness Paul Williams. Williams thought he was taking his pregnant niece to a quiet park for photos Saturday night. Instead, he found himself running for cover with his group with eight children as gunfire erupted at Briscoe Park in Snellville. 'We got to the car. My kids got in the car. My kids are crying. We are rushing into the car,' he said. He said more than 100 teenagers from multiple high schools had gathered at the park around 9 p.m. He was taking photos near the gazebo when the shooting started just 200 feet away. 'I literally see the muzzle flashes, like real close,' Williams said. Five teenagers between 14 and 17 years old were shot and sent to the hospital. The next afternoon brought another shooting at the same park. Snellville police say a domestic argument led to one man shooting another near the softball fields that also happened in front of families. Snellville police have not announced arrests in either shooting. The city vows to increase patrols, add security, and address lighting and cameras. Williams says the violence has left a lasting impact on his 8-year-old twin daughters. 'They don't want to go outside; they don't want to go back to the park,' he said. TRENDING STORIES: GA mayor, wife charged with crimes against children 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Dwight Eubanks diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer Person found 'slumped' over in U-Haul leads to discovery of stolen IDs, fentanyl [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gwinnett shootout leaves 17-year-old dead, 2 more teens injured
A 17-year-old was killed and two other teenagers were wounded in a shooting last Thursday night that Gwinnett County neighbors say sounded like automatic gunfire. Andrew Gatlin died from his injuries after being shot on Pirkle Road around midnight, according to police. Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson learned two other juveniles were wounded in the incident and taken to a children's hospital in Atlanta, where they are expected to recover. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Daniel Simonca, who has lived in the neighborhood for 35 years, said he was getting ready for bed when he heard the gunshots. 'I heard shots like an automatic weapon, and a scream, a terrifying scream,' Simonca said. 'It's scary because, you know, I got two daughters.' Gwinnett County police say at least five teenagers met on Pirkle Road for unknown reasons when there was a fight that led to a shootout. A victim collapsed on a driveway, and a bullet went through a neighbor's vehicle. Two juveniles have been charged with felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm. TRENDING STORIES: Murder suspect shoots girlfriend in head in East Point, goes on 2-state crime spree, police say Husband ran off to Costa Rica with nanny after wife's south GA murder, GBI says Gwinnett County home destroyed when 'smoking materials' start fire Simonca said the area is a popular hangout spot where young people often gather. He questioned how teenagers obtained firearms. 'What was the reason they killed each other?' he asked. 'When somebody shoots like that, I mean, in all directions, it could have come through my window.' The deadly shooting comes as Gwinnett County police prepare to ramp up a comprehensive summer safety initiative designed to increase police visibility and reduce crime. The program includes daily crime suppression operations and Saturday morning community walks with police chiefs. Gatlin's family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expenses. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Facebook Marketplace car theft ring ends in dozens of charges for 2 women, Gwinnett police say
Gwinnett County police have arrested two women in connection to a vehicle theft operation that transported stolen Honda CR-Vs from New York City to sell them through Facebook Marketplace in Georgia, police said. The investigation began in December 2024 when a Gwinnett County resident took his recently purchased Honda CR-V for routine service. 'The technician happened to notice something was off with the VIN number of the vehicle and alerted the customer,' said Cpl. Juan Madiedo with Gwinnett County police. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police set up an undercover purchase with the alleged seller, leading to the arrest of Mayreny Ciprian, who now faces 40 criminal charges. She was found inside another stolen CR-V with an altered VIN in December, police said. 'Little did she know she was actually meeting with detectives that day, but she was taken into custody without any incident,' Madiedo said. Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson learned the investigation expanded Monday with the arrest of 30-year-old Karen Mendez, who faces 19 felony charges for allegedly selling stolen vehicles with forged titles. TRENDING STORIES: EF1 tornado confirmed in Spalding, Butts counties from late night storms Georgia Tech student 'targeted' in deadly shooting at off-campus apartment Rapper Rod Wave arrested after shots fired at his metro Atlanta home Victims often lose both their money and their vehicle when police identify stolen cars. Fredy Juarez lost $10,000 in a similar scheme last year. 'Not everybody is to be trusted,' Juarez warned at the time. 'If you don't put a stop to this, these people will mess up somebody else.' Police believe additional suspects and victims are still out there. They urge anyone who purchased a Honda CR-V through Facebook Marketplace to have their vehicle inspected. 'If there's anything off on the VIN number, if you take a good look at it, please call us,' Madiedo said. Police recommend using designated e-commerce zones at police stations for online purchases, where officers can help verify vehicle information. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Former Gwinnett Co. teacher accused of inappropriately touching students at elementary school
A former Gwinnett County teacher is out of a job because police say he inappropriately touched elementary school students in class. Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson was at Trip Elementary School, where Brandon Hill, 29, taught. Police said he told one victim it was 'quiet time' during the incidents. Hill has since been arrested and charged, though he is now out on bond. Officers told Channel 2 Action News that multiple victims told very similar stories about him. Hill, who lives in Athens, is accused of crimes against at least two students across 20 days in March. According to an arrest warrant, he sat beside one girl and rubbed her hair, head, back and shoulders six different days. Police said Hill told her 'to not use her voice and that it was quiet time while he was touching her.' Tina Brown, a Gwinnett County parent, told Johnson it was hard to hear. 'A teacher touching a child? That hurts me dearly,' Brown said. Speaking with parents about the allegations, Johnson heard from multiple parents who said they were alarmed. 'If you want to touch on children, you should go to jail, go sit there and understand the meaning,' Brown said. In another case, police said Hill stroked a girl's hair and rubbed her back and shoulder. A statement from Gwinnett County Public Schools shared with Channel 2 Action News said, 'The safety and well-being of our students and staff is - and will always be - the district's top priority. As soon as we became aware of the allegations, we acted swiftly and followed all state and district-mandated protocols …The teacher was promptly removed from the classroom and did not return to the school.' Hill faces a misdemeanor simple battery charge and a first-degree felony child cruelty charge. Parents told Channel 2 Action News they were worried about the emotional toll for the victims. Jail records show Hill posted a $6,000 bond and was released while awaiting his court date. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: STORY 1 STORY 2 STORY 3 [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
