Crime & Safety

Buford Shooting Blamed on Drug Deal Gone Bad

Police discover fourth victim in what was originally believed to be a triple shooting that left two dead.

Police have charged a Lawrenceville man in connection with a .

Haile Lewis, 23, of Lawrenceville, has been charged with one count of murder, one count of aggravated assault and one count of violating Georgia’s controlled substances act as a result of what police describe as a failed drug deal.

According to Gwinnett County Police, Daniel Turpin, 23, of 2283 Ivy Crest Drive in Buford, brokered a drug deal with Lewis and Trenton Jones, 23, of 2000 Henderson Way in Lawrenceville. Lewis and Jones arrived at Turpin’s Ivy Crest Drive home shortly after 2 p.m. to meet with Turpin and 23-year-old Justin Kendell of Buford.

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“The deal fell through and Mr. Lewis began beating Mr. Turpin when gunfire erupted from both parties,” said GCPD public information officer Cpl. Ed Ritter in a released statement.

Turpin and Jones were killed in the gunfight. Kendall ran to a nearby residence to seek help. Lewis drove away from the scene suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

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“Mr. Lewis later showed up at Grady Hospital in a stolen car seeking medical treatment for his injuries sustained from the firefight,” Ritter said.

Both Kendall and Lewis are expected to make a full recovery.

A 17-year-old female was in the house at the time of the shooting, but did not witness the incident and had no connection with the transaction, according to police.

The incident remains under investigation.


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