In the quiet early morning hours of Sunday, January 11, 2026, the life of Abel Alejandro Unzicker-Chavez, a 36-year-old father of two, was tragically cut short in a fatal shooting outside his Snellville, Georgia, home. The incident unfolded around 3:10 a.m. on Saddle Ridge Drive, a residential street just off Centerville Highway. Responding to a distress call, Gwinnett County police officers discovered Unzicker-Chavez suffering from a gunshot wound.
Described by his family as a dedicated
family man and a hard-working individual, Unzicker-Chavez was a father to two young girls. His sudden death sent shockwaves through his family and the local community, leaving behind a profound sense of loss and grief.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to the identification of a suspect, 30-year-old Derrick Devon Thomas, who was reportedly Unzicker-Chavez's neighbor. Thomas was taken into custody and is facing a string of serious charges, including felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. His prior felony convictions made his possession of a firearm illegal.
While a motive for the shooting has not yet been publicly released by law enforcement, authorities have indicated that they believe the shooting was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. The Gwinnett County Police Department's investigation is ongoing, and they have urged anyone with information about the case to come forward to assist them in piecing together the circumstances that led to this tragic event.
