Suspect Named in Norcross Home Invasion, Shootout

NORCROSS, GA — Police have identified a suspect they say remains at large after a Norcross home invasion during which shots were fired at police officers.

Vidal Mendoza-Garcia, 34, of Norcross, is believed to be armed and dangerous, Gwinnett County Police say.

On September 20, officers were responding to a 2:10 a.m. call to 1296 Williamsburg Ln., in unincorporated Norcross.

Using a language-interpreter service, a woman at the address told 911 that she was hiding inside the bathroom of the home with three children, police said.

Her husband and another male family member were also inside the home when an unknown number of men came inside, she said.

When officers arrived several minutes later, someone started shooting at them.

One officer returned fire and the suspects ran away, police said.

A helicopter and K-9 units were dispatched to the scene to help with the search. One suspect was captured by a K-9 unit and another was found by uniformed officers.

Lamar Marcel Bowman, 30, of Norcross, faces a charge of home invasion and one count of aggravated assault. Detectives believe Bowman is the suspect who shot at officers as they arrived.
He was transported to a hospital, where he remained Monday, for an unrelated medical issue, police said.

Javier Gonzalez, 26, of Alpharetta, will be charged with one count of home invasion. He is currently being held at Gwinnett County Jail.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact Gwinnett County Police detectives at (770) 513-5300. To remain anonymous, tipsters should contact Crime Stoppers at (404) 577-TIPS (8477) or visitwww.crimestoppersatlanta.org.

You can also text your tip to “Crimes” (274637). Crime Stoppers tipsters can receive up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in the case.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department