Police say a 31-year-old man told detectives his gun discharged while he was cleaning it at the Live In Lodge.
LILBURN, Ga. — A 17-year-old boy was found dead late Thursday inside a room at the Live In Lodge after a bullet fired from a neighboring unit passed through a wall, Gwinnett County police said early Friday. Officers arrested a man staying next door at the extended-stay motel.
Detectives said the shooting happened around 11 p.m. at the Live In Lodge on Stone Mountain Highway, a corridor lined with budget hotels and small businesses in unincorporated Lilburn. Police took Shermarcus Cockran, 31, into custody at the scene on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct. The teen, whose name has not been released, was pronounced dead where he lay on the bed. Investigators and the medical examiner worked through the night as crime-scene tape sealed off a section of the second floor.
According to preliminary findings, a single round was fired from Room 225 into Room 216. “Based on the evidence and statements, this appears to be a tragic, isolated incident,” Gwinnett County police said. Detectives said Cockran told them he had returned from a gun range and was cleaning his firearm when it went off. Officers recovered a handgun and other evidence from the room, police said. The teen was believed to have been playing video games when he was struck, according to investigators. No other injuries were reported.
Officials emphasized that the inquiry remains active. The Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office, which also responded overnight, will review the case file and make charging decisions as additional reports come in. The medical examiner will determine the exact cause and manner of death after an autopsy. Police did not release the caliber of the weapon, the brand of the firearm, or whether it had a manual safety. Detectives are still working to notify the teen’s family and confirm next of kin. Motel management provided access to security cameras and guest records, investigators said.
Extended-stay motels along Stone Mountain Highway have seen periodic police responses for domestic calls, thefts and occasional violent incidents over the years. But fatal shootings through shared walls are uncommon in Gwinnett County, according to prior crime summaries. The Live In Lodge caters to nightly and weekly renters near the county line and the Stone Mountain attraction, drawing both travelers and residents between housing options. Police said the building’s construction and room layout — thin interior walls and facing exterior doors — can create safety issues when firearms are handled carelessly inside.
Detectives obtained warrants for involuntary manslaughter and reckless conduct before daybreak. Cockran was taken to the Gwinnett County Jail, where he awaited a first appearance hearing as of Friday morning. Investigators planned to return for additional interviews and ballistic measurements, including mapping the bullet’s travel path between the rooms. Officials said any potential civil code inspections at the property would be handled separately by county authorities. If the victim’s identity is confirmed Friday, police said they will release it in an update along with next steps in the criminal case.
Neighbors described a chaotic scene as officers converged on the second-floor walkway. “I heard one loud boom and then people yelling,” said Marcus Hill, who was staying two doors down. “When I opened my door, police were already running up the stairs.” Another guest said investigators canvassed rooms and asked for surveillance video from cellphones. The motel’s owner declined to comment pending the investigation but said staff cooperated with police overnight.
As of Friday morning, the section of hallway outside Rooms 216 and 225 remained closed while police documented drywall damage and collected fragments for testing. The next public update is expected after the medical examiner completes the autopsy and prosecutors review initial reports later today.
Author note: Last updated February 6, 2026.