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Manhunt underway for 'dangerous' gunman
Brookhaven police are on the hunt for an ''armed and dangerous'' man accused of killing a person during a party at a family get-together at an apartment complex near Buford Highway.
BROOKHAVEN, Ga. - Brookhaven police are searching for a man accused of killing someone inside an apartment early Sunday.
What we know:
Police said they are looking for Jose Carlos Meza Ignacio, 31, who is wanted on charges of murder, first-degree cruelty to children, third-degree cruelty to children, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and criminal damage to property.
Police are searching for Jose Carlos Meza Ignacio in connection with a murder on Buford Highway.
The backstory:
Officers said they were called to an apartment in the 3600 block of Buford Highway just before 3 a.m. Sunday. They found a man with a gunshot wound and attempted lifesaving measures, but the victim died at the scene.
According to investigators, Meza Ignacio and the victim were drinking inside the apartment when an argument broke out about Meza Ignacio having a gun. Police said he then shot the victim.
Police told FOX 5 in an interview that the shooting happened around the victim's niece and nephews. That's why Meza Ignacio is charged with cruelty to children, according to police.
The shooting appears to have happened at a family gathering, according to Brookhaven Police Lt. Carlos Nino. He said the shooting happened inside the victim's sister's apartment.
"It appears that the victim requested the suspect not to bring the weapon in the house because he was trying to protect, you know, his family… his nephews and nieces," said Nino. "The fact that he was willing to do this at a family gathering, and over what seems to be a very reasonable request in front of children, I mean what do you think that tells us about this type of person we're dealing with here."
"Brookhaven tends to be a place where it's generally a good, great place to raise a family, so you generally don't see this just to see it out of the sudden," Nino said.
Dig deeper:
Meza Ignacio is not part of the family, but is a family friend of the victim's.
He was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, brown shorts and a black hat. Police said he has a scar on his left eye and multiple tattoos, including a horse on his left arm, Saint Jude on his back and lettering on his neck.
Authorities said Meza Ignacio should be considered armed and dangerous.
What you can do:
Anyone who sees him is asked to call Brookhaven police or Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or 911.
The Source: Information in this article came from multiple releases by the Brookhaven Police Department and FOX 5's Lindsay Tuman on the scene. It has been updated to add information from Brookhaven police in a one-on-one interview with FOX 5's Eric Mock.