Snellville Homicide Confirmed as First of 2013 in Gwinnett

Updated Jan. 8, 4:14 p.m.

According to Snellville's Chief Roy Whitehead, an altercation between a young woman and her boyfriend culminated in the homicide of her father, as reported by the Gwinnett Daily Post. 

The couple was initially involved in a domestic dispute near Briscoe Park, off Lenora Church Road. According to police reports, the woman left, but came back around 3 a.m. with her mother, father and a friend. The family began "pounding on the door" to Brown's home. 

An altercation between 48-year-old Darrell Johnson and Derrick Brown, 21, ensued, in which Johnson beat Brown with a club repeatedly. The fight was broken up by the friend.  

Johnson, of Covington, and his daughter then left the scene to retrieve some clothing. The place was trashed by the time the pair left, according to police.

When they came downstairs, Johnson began to beat Brown with a metal barbell, fracturing Brown's elbow.

Brown then drew a handgun from his pajama pocket and fired once at Mr. Johnson.

"When Johnson continued to approach Brown, he fired another shot at him," according to police. "Everyone ran outside and Mr. Johnson collapsed in the driveway where he succumbed to two gunshot wounds."

Mr. Brown then fired a third shot as he ran to the rear of the apartment, an apparent accidental discharge.

For further reading:

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• Routine Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Arrest