In a tragic turn of events on a Saturday evening in unincorporated Norcross, Georgia, a 43-year-old Caucasian woman named Dixie Cowe lost her life. The incident, which occurred on March 30, 2019, unfolded inside a home on Wynhall Drive where she lived with her roommate and her roommate's mother. What began as a routine task quickly escalated into a fatal accident that would forever change the lives of those involved.
That evening, Keely Kilpatrick, the 26-year-old daughter of the homeowner and Cowe's roommate, announced she was going downstairs to clean a firearm. Cowe was also downstairs at the time. A sudden, loud noise, which the mother, who was upstairs, identified as a gunshot, prompted her to rush downstairs to investigate the source of the commotion. She was met with a scene of horror: her friend and roommate, Dixie Cowe, had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. Kilpatrick immediately and repeatedly stated that the gun had accidentally discharged and struck Cowe.
Emergency services were called to the residence around 6:30 p.m., and Cowe was quickly transported to a local hospital with what were described as significant injuries. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival. The Gwinnett County Police Department launched a homicide investigation into the shooting. Both Kilpatrick and her mother cooperated with the authorities throughout the investigation.
Based on the evidence and witness statements, investigators determined that the shooting was accidental. However, due to the circumstances surrounding the death, Keely Kilpatrick was taken into custody and subsequently charged with involuntary manslaughter. She was held at the Gwinnett County Detention Center without bond. Reports indicated that Kilpatrick had a prior criminal record that included charges for drug possession and firearm-related offenses. The investigation concluded that there was no malicious intent behind the shooting, and no other suspects were identified or arrested in connection with the case.
