Man shot in head, chases after suspect

After being shot in the head during an apparent robbery at a tax office Monday afteoon, an employee at a Gwinnett County tax office chased the suspect while yelling for help, police and witnesses said.

"He was saying, ‘Y'all, get me some help,' " said Phil Miller, who lives in a home nearby on Singleton Road. "He was conscious."

The victim, Damien Ekezie, 56, was in critical condition after being transported to a local hospital, but was able to speak to officers at the scene, Cpl. Jake Smith with Gwinnett County police said. And, thanks in part to the victim and other witnesses, the suspect, 20-year-old Jeremy Williams, was in custody shortly after the shooting, Smith said.

Police said a man was shot in the head during a robbery at this Gwinnett County tax office.

Investigators believe robbery was the motive behind the shooting and don't believe Williams was a former employee or customer, Smith said.

After allegedly shooting Ekezie inside the business, located in the 5600 block of Singleton Road, Williams ran out of the building, Smith said. The victim chased Williams outside the building, but Williams was able to get away, according to police.

Gwinnett County police spokesman Cpl. Jake Smith stands outside a Norcross tax office, in the 5600 block of Singleton Road, that was the scene of a robbery and shooting Monday afteoon.

Several witnesses reported the suspect's description to police, who were able to locate Williams a short distance away from the business, Smith said.

It wasn't immediately known if Williams, took anything from the business, Smith said.

"I'm just glad they got him," Miller said.

Miller told the AJC he didn't hear a gunshot, but saw Ekezie trying to chase the alleged gunman outside. One of his neighbors called the police.