In the late hours of a Friday evening in Jefferson, Georgia, events unfolded that would tragically end the life of 34-year-old Mateo Gomez-Lucas, a native of San Mateo, Guatemala. On August 18, 2023, near the intersection of Business Highway 129 and Storey Lane, Gomez-Lucas was discovered unconscious, having sustained injuries from a shooting. Emergency services transported him to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for medical attention.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away the following day, on Saturday, August 19, 2023.
The Jefferson Police Department promptly initiated an investigation into the shooting and requested the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The investigation into the death of Gomez-Lucas, who was an employee in the poultry industry, proceeded for over a week as authorities sought to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and to identify who was responsible. While a motive for the slaying had not been established, the investigation led law enforcement to a suspect.
On Sunday, August 27, 2023, a significant development occurred in the case when 36-year-old Edwin Garcia Alonzo, also of Jefferson, was taken into custody in Hall County. Following his arrest, Alonzo was charged with the murder of Mateo Gomez Lucas. The investigation remains active and ongoing as authorities continue to gather information. Officials have encouraged anyone with information to contact the Jefferson Police Department or the GBI Regional Investigative Office.
