A routine traffic dispute in Lilburn, Georgia, turned deadly on September 10, 2023. Thirty-five-year-old Luis Cruz reportedly became angry after 45-year-old Omar Cantillo Avila paused at a yellow light near Harbins and Dickens Roads. Cruz drove around Avila, the two men argued and exchanged gestures, and Cruz then stopped near the Durham Ridge subdivision. The verbal confrontation escalated into gunfire from both vehicles; surveillance video recorded rapid gunfire and Avila was fatally wounded.

Avila was driving a black SUV with two friends when the shooting occurred. Passenger Geovanny Fontalvo was hospitalized in critical condition; a third passenger was uninjured. A long gun was left near Avila’s vehicle after Cruz fled. Cruz later surrendered to police at his uncle’s request and is charged with felony murder and aggravated assault, held in the Gwinnett County jail without bond. Reports note Cruz had multiple arrests in the prior year for DUI, street racing, and driving with an expired license. Avila’s family described him as a devoted father who sent aid to people in Colombia and said they forgive Cruz.

Does anyone have information about the sequence of events near Harbins and Dickens Roads that afternoon?