In the early hours of a Tuesday morning in Villa Rica, Georgia, a domestic dispute tragically escalated, claiming the life of 35 year old Abraham Suarez Santiago. It was just after midnight on December 17, 2024, when deputies from the Paulding County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence on Windsor View Lane following reports of a dispute. Upon their arrival, they discovered a somber scene with a group of people gathered near the roadway and the body of a man on the ground.
The man was identified as Abraham Suarez Santiago, a friend of the woman who resided in the home with her husband, Rick Joseph Reed. Investigators learned that a domestic altercation had occurred between the couple earlier that evening. In the aftermath of that dispute, Santiago had come to the home to assist his friend. An argument then broke out between Santiago and Reed, which ended in gunfire. Santiago was shot near the road and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Rick Joseph Reed was taken into custody and subsequently charged with murder and aggravated assault. He was booked into the Paulding County Jail, where he was being held without bond. The Paulding County Sheriff's Office requested the assistance of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in the ongoing investigation into the shooting.
Known to his friends as 'Ab,' Abraham Suarez Santiago was remembered as a National Guard sergeant who had served since 2008. Those who knew him described him as an outstanding soldier and a great father who could light up a room with his smile.
