Barrow County investigators say two people shot to death in Winder on March 2nd, were killed during a botched armed robbery attempt. According to a media release from the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, 4 suspects, Julio Rivera (20), Alphonzo Gonzalez (19), Jose Barrera (19), and Erika Contreras (19), went to Beech Creek Circle, in Winder, for an attempted an armed robbery.
The victim, who was inside a vehicle, was also armed. During the incident, Barrera and Contreras were shot and killed.
All of the suspects are from Athens and the victim is from Winder.
The two remaining suspects, Rivera and Gonzalez have been located and taken into custody. They are being held at the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and are both charged with Criminal Attempt to Commit Armed Robbery and Aggravated Assault with the Intent to Rob. As the investigation continues, it is possible other charges will be taken.
The incident happened Tuesday, March 2nd, when deputies were called to the scene regarding suspicious people standing around a residence wearing masks. They found the body of Erika Contreras in a vehicle about 100 yards away before discovering the body of Jose Barrera up the road from the initial scene.
The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office will release any more information possible as it becomes available.
