In the early morning hours of November 2, 2019, the quiet of a townhome community on Beaver Springs Lane in Norcross, Georgia, was shattered by violence. Inside one of the residences, 30-year-old Josh Dennis and his 55-year-old uncle, Derrick Dennis, were found dead from gunshot wounds. Both men were Black males. Gwinnett County Police responded to a call about a person shot at approximately 4:45 a.m. and discovered the tragic scene, immediately classifying the deaths as a double homicide. The investigation quickly pointed to a single suspect who was known to both victims.
Authorities identified 30-year-old Karlton Sirmons of Norcross as the primary suspect in the double murder. An investigation into Sirmons' background revealed a history of violent behavior, including prior involvement in shootings and a stabbing incident. His criminal record also included charges for drug offenses, making terroristic threats, and kidnapping. As the search for Sirmons intensified, the U.S. Marshals Service joined the effort, considering him armed and dangerous and offering a reward for information leading to his arrest. The motive for the killings remained unclear as law enforcement from multiple agencies worked to piece together the events that led to the deaths of Josh and Derrick Dennis.
After a manhunt that lasted for several months, Karlton Sirmons was apprehended. On January 24, 2020, Sirmons was arrested in Atlanta through a joint operation involving the Gwinnett County Police Department, the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office, the Atlanta Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals. He was taken into custody and booked into the Gwinnett County jail. Sirmons was subsequently charged with two counts of felony murder and two counts of aggravated assault in connection with the deaths of Josh and Derrick Dennis. In addition to the murder charges, Sirmons also faced outstanding warrants for other violent crimes in multiple counties. He was held without bond.
