In the quiet suburbs of Suwanee, Georgia, a horrific act of violence shattered a family and a community. Jerry David Manning, a 75-year-old male, became the final victim of a tragic murder-suicide that unfolded months earlier. The devastating events began on the morning of July 22, 2015, inside the Old Atlanta Road home that Manning had owned for over three decades. This home, which should have been a place of sanctuary, became a scene of unimaginable horror at the hands of his son-in-law, Matthew Kyle Fields.
Living in the home with Jerry Manning were his daughter, 37-year-old Rebecca Manning, and her two young sons, 9-year-old Jacob Smith and 8-year-old Jared Smith. Rebecca's husband, Matthew Kyle Fields, also resided with the family. The night before the tragedy, a heated argument between Fields and his wife led to him leaving the residence. However, he returned in the early hours of the next morning with a sinister purpose. Shortly after 6 a.m., Fields entered the home and opened fire, shooting everyone inside. The two young boys, Jacob and Jared, were tragically shot and killed as they slept in their beds.
After his horrific acts, Fields contacted his mother in Dawson County, confessing to the shootings and stating his intention to take his own life. His mother's husband promptly called 911 to report the devastating news. When Forsyth County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene, they found a grim tableau. Matthew Kyle Fields and the two young boys were already deceased. Rebecca Manning was discovered on the front porch, critically wounded but still alive, screaming for help. She was rushed to the hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries shortly after. Jerry Manning was also found inside the home, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Initially, Jerry Manning was the sole survivor of the brutal attack. He was transported to North Fulton Hospital in critical condition and immediately underwent emergency surgery. For months, he fought for his life, showing signs of improvement that gave his family a glimmer of hope. His nephew, Justin Lankford, recalled that his uncle had been talking and even laughing, leading them to believe he might recover. However, the severity of his injuries ultimately proved to be too much. On Friday, December 4, 2015, nearly five months after the shooting, Jerry David Manning passed away, becoming the fifth and final casualty of his son-in-law's murderous rampage. The perpetrator, Matthew Kyle Fields, took his own life at the scene, leaving behind a trail of devastation and a family forever torn apart. As the shooter was deceased, no arrests were made in connection with this tragic case.
