Police: Man Shot Preteen, Teen, Mother in Snellville-Area Triple Homicide

This article was originally posted at 5 p.m. Sept. 16.

Gwinnett County Police are searching still for the suspect connected to fatally shooting a woman, her 12-year-old son and her godson Sunday (Sept. 15) in unincorporated Snellville.

The suspect in the case is Robert Bell, a 33-year-old black male who had recently moved into the home at 4630 Anderson-Livsey Ln. where the triple homicide took place. 

Detectives also had been investigating Bell's 22-year-old wife, Danielle Hill-Bell, who was living in the home, too. She is no longer being actively sought, according to a news release from Gwinnett Police spokesman Cpl. Jake Smith. 

Police were initially called to the residence on an aggravated domestic call around 9 p.m. 

"The caller stated that a man was chasing a woman outside and firing a gun at her," wrote Smith.

Police found homeowner Angela Benton, 34, and her 23-year-old boyfriend, Justin Cato, outside the residence with gunshot wounds. Both were transported to the hospital, where Benton died. Cato, who originally called 911, was shot in the leg and is expected to survive. 

The GCPD SWAT team responded to the scene due to suspicions that the suspect, Bell, was still inside the residence, but he was not. Two deceased bodies were located in the home during the investigation, though: Benton's 12-year-old son, Joseph McDonald, and 19-year-old Raynord Daniel, Benton's godson. Both lived in the home. 

Benton had allowed Bell and his wife to move into the home two weeks ago on what seems to be a "charitable act," according to police. 

"The victims and the suspect were thought to be on good terms and at this point the motive for the murders is not clear," says the news release.

Bell, who is 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, has active warrants for three counts of felony murder and one count of aggravated assault. His vehicle, a black SUV, was recovered at the scene. An assault rifle similar to an AR-15 was located in the vehicle and detectives believe it may be the murder weapon.

Bell's whereabouts are unknown. Anyone with information should contact Gwinnett Homicide Unit detectives at 770-513-5300.

Bell also should be considered armed and dangerous, and anyone encountering him should call 911. 

Another homicide was reported on the same block of Anderson Livsey Lane in April 2011. Marvin Tyus, 48, was fatally shot in his home during an apparent home invasion. The suspects were unknown at the time, and there are no news reports indicating that anyone was arrested in connection to the incident. 

The information above is based on a news release from the Gwinnett County Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.