Grandmother, Granddaughter Beaten in Bloody Assault: Police

Gwinnett Police subdued a man while he was severely beating a grandmother and her granddaughter in a bloody assault early Tuesday morning near Lawrenceville.

Police said Andre Burton, 32, was naked and covered in blood after officers kicked in a patio door and followed the sounds of screams and a trail of blood to a bathroom at 230 Saratoga Drive, where he was found allegedly assaulting the victims.

The incident happened around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Both victims received severe injuries and were taken to a local hospital. They are expected to survive.

From Gwinnett Police spokeswoman Cpl. Michele Pihera:

“The officers discovered a nude, black male covered in blood, sweat, and water standing near the bathroom shower beating two females (age 73 and 14). The 73-year old grandmother was unresponsive, and the 14-year old was standing over her. The entire shower and most of the walls and floor were covered in blood. The officers gave verbal commands to the suspect, Andre Burton (age 32). When Burton didn’t comply with the officer’s commands, he was Tasered. Once the suspect was handcuffed, he was escorted out of the home.”

Gwinnett 911 received a call around 2:30 a.m. from a female saying someone had broken into her house. A male’s voice — presumably Burton’s — was heard in the background, according to police.

“The female was unable to have a conversation with the 911 call-taker because she was being assaulted,” Pihera said. “Using triangulation, the dispatcher determined that the incident location was 230 Saratoga Drive in Lawrenceville.”

Police found a broken window on the back side of the house when they responded. The window and floor near it were covered in blood. Officers heard a young female screaming inside and forced their way into the house and found the man assaulting the victims.

Later, the grandmother, who regained consciousness while waiting for the ambulance, told police she heard a loud noise from downstairs around 2:30 a.m., and when she investigated she found a naked man in her granddaughter’s room. She said he began to beat, punch and kick the victims, and threw a printer and dresser at them demanding money.

“The grandmother put her hands up to protect herself, but the suspect kept hitting her,” Pihera said. “After forcing the females through several rooms, he then told them to get into the bathroom shower to ’wash the blood off.’ As the females were being beaten, the officers arrived and interrupted the assault.”

Also found was a car nearby that Burton allegedly stole from an acquaintance on Lawrenceville Highway near Bethesda Church Road.

Burton, who is listed as a Memphis, Tenn., resident, faces a slew of charges:

• Theft by Taking
• Battery
• Kidnapping
• Aggravated Assault
• Aggravated Battery
• Burglary
• Robbery
• Interference with a 911 Call
• False Imprisonment
• Public Indecency
• Cruelty to Children
• Children to Children (3rd Degree)
• Failure to Have License on Person
• Parking on a Public Roadway

Burton is being held without bond at the Gwinnett County Jail.

(Photo: Andre Burton. Gwinnett County Jail mug shot)