FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Tragedy struck on a Saturday night when an off-duty Gwinnett County sheriff’s deputy was found dead. Her son had gone to a neighbor’s home, explaining that his mom and her boyfriend were arguing when the boyfriend started shooting.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office reported that the teen arrived at the neighbor’s house shortly before 8 p.m. This visit prompted a 911 call, ultimately leading officers to find a deceased woman at the Villages at Shakerag subdivision.

Gwinnett officials said Master Deputy Tamara Tuitt-Bartlett was off duty when she was fatally shot. 

“Master Deputy Tuitt-Bartlett devoted nearly 20 years to our community, serving with dedication, compassion, and integrity that truly reflected the values of the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office,” the sheriff’s office stated. “Her unwavering commitment to safety and service left a lasting impact on those who knew and worked with her.”

The teen boy was given aid by his neighbor, the release said.

The statement also noted, “The quick-acting neighbor provided crucial aid to the wounded teenager, applying pressure to his injuries until emergency crews arrived.” The teenager, suffering multiple gunshot injuries, was transported to a local hospital and remains in stable condition.

Following the incident, deputies headed to the teen’s residence and attempted to contact anyone inside. After receiving no response, they entered and discovered the off-duty deputy in an upstairs bedroom.

The suspect was identified as 43-year-old Eric Sumner of Suwanee.

The Forsyth Sheriff’s Office said he was tracked down on I-75 by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and taken into custody after a brief chase.

Sumner faces charges of murder as well as aggravated assault with intent to murder.

This event added to the family’s history of tragedy. In 2021, Tuitt-Bartlett’s elder son died in a hit-and-run incident in Johns Creek, with the responsible driver never being identified.

“My son was 6’6 and you broke him down,” she said at the time. “His whole body was broken. My son went up and came back down broken.” 

Neighbors had nothing but nice things to say about the Gwinnett deputy. 

“Anything that needed to be vocalized; anything that helped improve the neighborhood, she would listen to people, give her opinion. She was very kind. Very kind,” one resident said.