UPDATE (Lawrenceville, Georgia, November 13, 2013) Jovian Lanus (B/M, 26 years old), Tyler Estrada (H/M, 18 years old), and Diara Hood (B/F, 22 years old) have been charged in this case.  All three were developed as suspects in the weeks following the homicide.  In November, Hood and Estrada were discovered to be in custody for armed robbery and aggravated assault in Dekalb County for charges made by the Dekalb County Police Department.  Lanus was still at large.

On November 8, 2013, the GCPD SWAT Team took Lanus into custody at a home on McCord Livsey Road.  Lanus is charged with murder, aggravated assault and two counts of armed robbery.  Estrada and Hood are charged with murder and two counts of armed robbery.  All three suspects remain in custody without bond.

ORIGINAL RELEASE (Monday, July 29, 2013 @ approximately 7:10am) The Gwinnett County Police Department Homicide Unit is currently investigating a homicide that occurred at 6055 South Norcross Tucker Rd. (Celadon Apartments). This is in an area of unincorporated Norcross within Gwinnett County.

Gwinnett County Police Department officers were dispatched to this location regarding a “person down” call. Upon arrival, officers discovered a deceased male with a gunshot wound lying on the ground in front of building “F” and a second male with blunt force trauma to his head. The second male, later identified as 28 year old, Thomas Smith (W/M, 28 years old) of Powder Springs was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center for treatment. The deceased was later identified as Steven Carden (W/M, 28 years old) of Marietta. Investigators interviewed Mr. Smith and other potential witnesses on scene and are currently following up on leads.

Mr. Smith claimed that he and Mr. Carden were walking through the apartment complex when they had brief conversation with two black males. Then at some point he (Mr. Smith) was struck from behind by an unknown object. Investigators continue to investigate the motive and sequence of events regarding this homicide. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.