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Suspects in deadly Gwinnett County double shooting arrested in Florida, police say

By and FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Updated  November 18, 2022 11:47pm EST
Gwinnett County
FOX 5 Atlanta

Gwinnett County teen shot in the back feels lucky to be alive

She said she and her friend, who was killed in the shooting, were being robbed. Police said the victims and shooters knew each other before the shooting, but didn't provide a specific motive for the shooting.

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Gwinnett County police said officers arrested two suspects in connection to a shooting that killed a 16-year-old boy and injured a 17-year-old girl.

Police said deputies with the Walton County Sheriff's Office arrested a 16-year-old girl from Lawrenceville and 16-year-old boy from Lilburn in Ft. Walton, Florida. Police said the suspects will be held there until they can be extradited to Gwinnett County.

Police said both unidentified suspects face aggravated assault, felony murder and malice murder.

"I am so glad they were caught. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time," said 16-year-old Elizabeth Bravo, who was injured in the shooting.

Gwinnett County police said the shooting happened in the parking lot of La Mexicana Supermarket at 745 Beaver Ruin Road. Police said officers responded to a call about a shooting at around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and found 17-year-old Elizabeth Bravo, a Berkmar High School student, shot in the back. She was rushed to the hospital. 

They later found 16-year-old Ryan Roderigues Romero nearby on Vernon Street. Police said he apparently drove away after being shot, but was found dead in his car. Officers said Romero is a former student at Norcross High School.

Bravo, who is a sophomore at Berkmar High School, said she went with her friend Romero to the grocery store parking lot because he did not want to go by himself. Bravo said he and Romero were being robbed by the suspects when the shooting happened. Police said the victims and shooters knew each other before the shooting, but didn't provide a specific motive for the shooting.

The high school student said she is still in a lot of pain, and she physically showed us where a bullet is still lodged in her back. 

Bravo's mother is concerned about her daughter's safety.

"Our detectives have been working non-stop on this case. They had good leads after talking to witnesses," Gwinnett County Police Sgt. Jennifer Richter remarked.

The public can report information to detectives at 770-513-5300 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477) and www.stopcrimeATL.com.