On May 2, 2024, at approximately 3:15 p.m., 35-year-old Greg Atkinson was fatally shot in his neighborhood on Remington Way in Marysville, California. A neighbor, alerted by the sound of gunshots and Atkinson's calls for help, discovered him suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency responders transported Atkinson to Rideout Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The Yuba County Sheriff's Office swiftly identified 45-year-old Sunny Bhavra as the primary suspect in the shooting. Upon locating Bhavra, he attempted to flee, leading deputies on a pursuit lasting approximately ten minutes. The chase concluded when Bhavra crashed his vehicle near Erle Road, east of Griffith Avenue, after which he was apprehended without further incident. Bhavra was subsequently booked into the Yuba County Jail on charges including homicide, felony evading, and multiple weapon offenses.
Greg Atkinson, born on September 15, 1988, in Yuba City, California, was a lifelong resident of the Yuba-Sutter area. He is remembered as a devoted family man, survived by his wife, Joelle Atkinson, and their young daughter, Kaylee. Atkinson also leaves behind three sisters: Stacy Burgeson, Lisa Furr, and Melissa Callison, along with numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life was held on May 24, 2024, at the Chapel of the Twin Cities in Yuba City, where family and friends gathered to honor his memory.
In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was organized to support Atkinson's family with funeral expenses and other financial needs. The community's response was marked by an outpouring of generosity, reflecting the high regard in which Atkinson was held by those who knew him.
As the legal proceedings against Sunny Bhavra progress, the Marysville community continues to mourn the loss of Greg Atkinson, whose life was abruptly ended by this senseless act of violence. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing. The community remains hopeful that justice will be served for Atkinson and his grieving family.
