In the early morning hours of June 29, 2026, 35-year-old Juan Gabriel Sanchez was shot from behind and killed behind a Goodyear store on Memorial Drive in Decatur, Georgia. Sanchez was a father of two; family members described him as a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. His mother, Janet Duenas, went to the scene and was confronted with the reality of his death.

Investigators arrested 44-year-old Marlowe Hawkins on July 7, 2026, and he was charged with malice murder, possession of a machine gun, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Hawkins had been released from prison months earlier after serving a 20-year sentence for armed robbery and has an extensive criminal history that includes an escape from a Washington County prison in 2019 and an escape attempt from a Butts County prison in 2020. Authorities say the weapon used in Sanchez’s killing was linked to Hawkins through another violent crime alleged to have occurred after his release. Hawkins faced an initial court appearance on July 8, 2026, where bond was denied.

What can anyone who knew Juan or who has information about the June 29 shooting share to help the investigation?