Off-Duty Deputy Killed, Teen Wounded in Forsyth County Shooting; Suspect Arrested
FORSYTH COUNTY, GA – A domestic dispute turned deadly Saturday evening, leaving an off-duty Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Deputy dead and her teenage son injured.
On September 27, 2025, at 7:49 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the Villages at Shakerag subdivision after a 911 caller reported that her neighbor, a bleeding juvenile, had come to her door seeking help. The teenager told the neighbor that his mother and her boyfriend had been arguing when the boyfriend opened fire.
The neighbor quickly applied pressure to the teen’s wounds until emergency responders arrived. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds and is listed in stable condition.
When deputies entered the residence to check for additional victims, they discovered a woman—later identified as an off-duty Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Deputy—dead in an upstairs bedroom.
The suspect, 43-year-old Eric Sumner of Suwanee, had fled the scene before deputies arrived. Detectives tracked Sumner as he traveled south on I-75, alerting the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, who located his vehicle. Following a brief pursuit, Sumner was taken into custody without further incident.
He is currently being held in Monroe County until transport back to Forsyth County, where he faces charges of Murder and two counts of Aggravated Assault with Intent to Murder. Additional charges are expected.
The names of the victims are being withheld pending notification of next of kin, including members of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.
Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman issued a statement on the tragedy, saying:
“The loss of life to violence is senseless, but the loss of a law enforcement officer should hit home to every one of us in a community. I would like to personally thank the Monroe County Georgia Sheriff’s Office for their quick response in capturing this dangerous suspect.”
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is leading the ongoing investigation.
