COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Marietta Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the deadly shooting of a man outside his Cobb County apartment complex.
The incident occurred at the Harlow Apartments near The Battery on Tuesday, leaving the community stunned.
The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Donovan Carter from Gwinnett County, allegedly drove more than an hour to carry out what authorities believe to be a premeditated attack. Officer Chuck McPhilamy of the Marietta Police Department revealed that Carter had a personal connection to the victim, 40-year-old Kenneth Cunningham II.
According to McPhilamy, the motive behind the shooting was rooted in a romantic relationship. Carter, described as the ex-boyfriend of a girl Cunningham was currently dating, planned out the attack, according to police.
"This was a preplanned, premeditated event that took place," McPhilamy said.
The disturbing sequence of events unfolded on the victim's 40th birthday. Carter reportedly disguised himself as someone delivering a package and devised a plan to lure Cunningham out of his apartment.
"He was expecting a package. He was being lured out of his own apartment under the guise of there is a package waiting for you," McPhilamy explained. "And it was only then that the suspect confronted him and brutally shot him."
Cunningham was fatally shot outside the Harlow Apartments, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. Officers from various ranks, along with detectives, collaborated on the investigation to piece together the details of the crime.
Donovan Carter was arrested by Gwinnett Police during a traffic stop, and authorities worked cooperatively to bring him into custody. Carter now faces multiple charges, including malice murder and aggravated assault. Officer McPhilamy emphasized that the severity of these charges reflects the premeditated nature of the shooting.
More details on the motive are expected to be revealed as the investigation continues.