2 teen shoplifting suspects identified in hit-and-run death of father at Walmart

GWINNETT COUNTY ,GA — Police in Gwinnett County have identified two people wanted in the hit-and-run death of a father of two.

Suwannee police say they have issued murder and shoplifting warrants for 18-year-old Keytavuis Arice Lowam and 15-year-old Jafar D Hunter Jr.

They are not currently in custody.

Investigators say the pair were trying to steal electronics from the Walmart in Suwanee around 9 p.m. Saturday. They entered the store, filled two carts with expensive items and then walked past the registers to the door. The men were confronted by Walmart police at the door, left empty handed and ran to a rented U-Haul truck.

As they drove off, police say they hit 42-year-old Christian Gutierrez, who was walking into the store with his wife, son and daughter. Gutierrez was dragged about 100 yards onto Satellite Boulevard and did not survive.

“They were there to go Christmas shopping for the family and this ended up happening,” said Lt. Robert Thompson with the Suwanee Police Department.

Police said the two are known as “water boys” who are known to hang out in the Memorial Drive and Columbia Drive area.

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A GoFundMe page has been set up for the family. On the page, it describes Gutierrez as a man full of love and compassion.

“Let me tell you about my cousin Chris Gutierrez. He was the kindest, most decent person you could meet, full of love and compassion. Chris would take any opportunity to help anyone in need. Last week alone, he stopped three times on the highway to help people stranded on the side in their cars. He was an amazing father, husband, son, brother, cousin, and friend. A great human being,” the page says.

Hunter will be charged as an adult, police say.

Father of 2 hit, killed by shoplifting suspects leaving Walmart Christian Gutierrez, 42, was hit and killed by shoplifting suspects leaving the Walmart in Suwanee, according to police.

Cox Media Group