English Doctor Visiting Atlanta Metro Shot, Killed In Sleep By Random Gunfire: Police

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — An English doctor died in his Brookhaven apartment Sunday when he was struck by a stray bullet, WSB-TV reported.

Matthew Willson, 31, of Chertsey, Surrey, England, was visiting Atlanta from England, Brookhaven police told the station, when he was hit by gunfire inside an apartment while sleeping. The stray bullet went through the apartment wall, police said. Officers responded to reports of multiple shots fired at the complex around 2 a.m. in the 3600 block of Buford Highway.

According to ABC News, the astrophysicist had traveled to Atlanta to visit his girlfriend of three years, Katherine Shepard. The shooting happened three days into the trip.

“He was supposed to be here for three months because we’ve been long distance for a while,” Shepard told WSB-TV. “I picked him up from the airport, took him to his favorite eating location, and the next day, he’s gone.”

Brookhaven police Sgt. Jake Kissel earlier said the shooting was believed to have been a random act, the BBC reported.

He said the stray bullet that hit Willson traveled less than 100 yards; gunshots were reported 20 feet from the apartment.

"We're saying it's the reckless discharge of firearms from one apartment complex and the stray bullet traveled through the woods and entered his apartment," Kissel said.

Willson had met Shepard while completing post-doctoral work at Georgia State University, where she was also a student, AJC.com reported.

“It’s impossible to comprehend how it is even true,” the victim's sister, Kate Willson, told the newspaper.

Anyone with information is asked to call Brookhaven Police at 404-637-0636. Tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.