Homicide Near GGC Locks Down Campus (Update)

Police are looking for a man wanted in connection with a shooting fatality in an apartment near Georgia Gwinnett College Monday morning that prompted a campus lockdown well into the afternoon.

Lawrenceville Police said Sheldon Soyer, 43, is wanted as a person of interest in the shooting death of his wife, Vanessa Soyer. WSB-TV reported the shooting happened in front of the couple’s child.

Soyer is described as a black male, standing approximately 6 feet tall and weighing 220 pounds.

The incident and search for Soyer prompted GGC to lock down its campus shortly before 11 a.m. The campus alert system was activated and the lockdown followed.

Buildings were being cleared by early afternoon, and the college was closed of the rest of the day.

“A violent crime has occurred close to the campus that is requiring campus police to close campus,” GGC posted on Facebook. “All staff and students are to shelter in place.“

Students and staff were locked down in classrooms and common rooms. More than 100 students were sheltered in the basement of the library.

“Extended periods of lockdown in tight quarters carry their own unique challenges given the size and range of issues associated with a community of 13,000,” GGC President Stas Preczewski said in a statement. “Yet, by all accounts, the community remained calm and cooperative. I could not be more proud. The safety and security of the GGC community remain the very top priority for this administration.”

See the entire statement below

If you have any information, contact the Lawrenceville Police Department 770-963-2443 or Detective Pendergrass 770-670-5136, or email, spendergrass@lawrencevillepd.com

You can remain anonymous.

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Earlier posts

Update 2:35 p.m. (from GGC Facebook) GGC CAMPUS CLOSED. Buildings have been cleared and the campus is now closed. Heightened security will continue until police authorities advise otherwise.

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Update 2:15 p.m. Lawrenceville Police Department have identified the suspect in Monday morning’s shooting fatality near Georgia Gwinnett College.

Sheldon Soyer, 43, is described as a black male, standing approximately 6 feet tall and weighing 220 pounds.

If you have any information, contact the Lawrenceville Police Department 770-963-2443 or Detective Pendergrass 770-670-5136, or email, spendergrass@lawrencevillepd.com

You can remain anonymous.

The shooting led to the locking down of the GGC, which was still locked down at mid-afternoon.

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Update 1:15 p.m. (from GGC Facebook) The GGC campus remains on lockdown. The situation remains active. GGC Campus police are systematically clearing campus buildings. Upon clearance, occupants will be be directed how to depart campus. Please wait for police to clear your building before departing. GGC will close for the remainder of this day.

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Update 12:50 p.m. (from GGC Facebook) GGC locked down until further notice.

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Update, 11:50 a.m.: Police are looking for a suspect who allegedly shot and killed a woman near campus. WSB-TV reported the “person of interest” is identified as Sheldon Soyer.

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Update, 11:40 a.m.: Lockdown remains in effect at GGC. Do not come to campus until further notice, the school said on Twitter.

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The Georgia Gwinnett College campus is reportedly on lockdown Monday morning due to a “violent crime.”

The college reported the lockdown on Facebook around 11 a.m.:

The post read:

“CAMPUS ON LOCKDOWN: A violent crime has occurred close to the campus that is requiring campus police to close campus. All staff and students are to shelter in place. Follow instructions from police and building staff. Be ready to move quickly when instructed. Go to the main GGC website for more information.”

Lawrenceville Police told WXIA-TV a shooting occurred near campus and it was looking for the suspect.

Georgia Gwinnett College Responds to Local Shooting