Police: Teen shot, killed at Gwinnett County gas station

BUFORD, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - A 15-year-old is dead after Gwinnett County police say someone shot him in the head.

It happened just after midnight on Monday at the Gas Plus off Thompson Mill Road.

"We were called out around 12:10 a.m.," Gwinnett County Police Detective Chris Smith said. "Investigators found the teen dead behind the store."

According to police, surveillance footage shows the victim, identified as Buford resident Branden Gerena, and another 15-year-old hanging out in front of the store.

"Then they went off view and behind the store," Smith said. "That's when the surviving teen told police a black male in his 20s approached them, then shot the other teen."

Officers told FOX 5 the suspect immediately fled the scene.

"We have Air 1 and canines out here helping in the search," Smith said.

Police are still looking for a motive for the shooting and trying to determine whether the teens knew the shooter.

"The surviving teen told us the shooter was wearing a black jacket with red lettering, blue jeans and a backwards hat," Smith said. "We are asking anyone with any information to give us a call."

Smith said all murders are hard, but especially when the victim is young.

"It's horrible when anyone dies, but to have to tell parents that their 15-year-old won't be coming home is one of the toughest parts of the job," Smith said.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call police at 770-513-5300.