Suspects sought in Gwinnett County home invasion

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Police in Gwinnett County are looking for suspects who, they said, shot at officers as they responded to a reported home invasion in Norcross.

The incident happened at a home on Williamsburg Lane shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday. An 11-year-old boy told FOX 5's Portia Bruner one of the gunmen pointed a gun at his head and his 5-year-old sister before covering their heads with pillows.

“I was laying still and he pointed it at me and said, ‘Just chill or I will shoot you.’ I thought he was going to kidnap us,” the boy said as he stood on the front steps hours after the terrifying ordeal.

Police said a woman inside the home called 911 and, with the aid of an interpreter, found out she was hiding in a bathroom with three children. She told the operator that her husband and another male family member were also inside the home when a group of men came into the house. The 11-year-old said the men pistol whipped his uncle after demanding cash.

“My uncle kept telling them you have the wrong house and they kept hitting him,” he said.

Police said, when officers arrived at the scene, the suspects began shooting at them. One of the officers shot back, and the suspects ran away.

Police, along with K-9 units and a helicopter flying overhead, canvassed the area looking for the suspects. One suspect was captured by K-9 units and another was apprehended by an officer.

The captured suspects have been identified as Javier Gonzalez, 26, and Lamar Marcel Bowman, 30. Gonzalez is charged with one count of home invasion. He remains in custody at the Gwinnett County Jail. Bowman, who police said they believe is the suspect who shot at officers, is charged with home invasion and aggravated assault. He has been transported to Gwinnett Medical Center for an unrelated medical issue, but will be booked into Gwinnett County Jail after he is released.

Police said one or more suspect are still on the loose, but it’s unclear how many suspects were involved.

“We need to get these men apprehended soon, given how violent they were and what they did do police and to all of the victims in this home invasion,” said police Cpl. Michele Pihera.

The boy said he is nervous and afraid this could happen again. The boy's aunt said she is also afraid and wants to move. Police are still trying to determine why the family was targeted.

While police conduct an investigation, the officer who shot at the suspects was placed on paid administrative leave, as is standard policy in this type of incident.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact police at 770-513-5300.