DULUTH, GA – A BioLife Plasma Services employee was fatally shot in a shopping center parking lot Friday afternoon in what police described as a domestic-related homicide, and the suspected shooter died by suicide following a police pursuit later that evening.
The victim, a woman in her early 20s, was shot while sitting in her white Kia outside the plasma donation center at 1625 Pleasant Hill Road around 3 p.m. Friday. She died at the scene from her injuries.
Gwinnett County police immediately launched a manhunt for the suspect, collecting witness statements and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses. “There were multiple witnesses that remained on scene and are actively being interviewed by homicide detectives,” authorities said in a statement.
The investigation culminated hours later when law enforcement located the suspect’s vehicle. Officers attempted to stop the suspect around 7 p.m., but he refused to pull over, leading to a brief pursuit. Police performed a PIT maneuver, causing the suspect’s vehicle to crash into a ditch.
The suspect died by suicide following the crash, according to authorities. Police have not released the suspect’s identity or details about his relationship to the victim.
A plasma donor who was present during the shooting described the sudden disruption, noting that his vehicle was parked just two spaces away from the crime scene. The incident sent shockwaves through the shopping center as witnesses took cover and called 911.
BioLife Plasma Services released a statement expressing condolences and confirming the company is fully cooperating with law enforcement. The Duluth center remained closed Saturday pending the ongoing investigation.
The victim’s name has not been publicly released as authorities work to notify all family members. Detectives are continuing to piece together the timeline of events and the relationship between the victim and the suspect.
The shooting highlights the dangers faced by domestic violence victims, even in public settings. Authorities are reviewing whether there were any prior reports of domestic incidents involving the couple.
