Man shot after tackling car burglar in Gwinnett County

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County police are investigating a shooting that happened on Lexington Drive in Lawrenceville.

According to police, Nelson Martinez, 29, was shot when he tried to stop suspected car burglars.

Jose Herrera said he heard gunshots that woke him up early Sunday morning.

"I heard about four, and they were spaced out, so you heard two, a pause and then there were two more," he said.

When things got quiet, he said he came outside to see what happened and found his car had been broken into. He said they stole a few things out his car including his handgun that was sitting in the pocket of the door.

"They managed to steal my pistol and they just destroyed the inside of the car," he said.

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Police said a witness told them he and Martinez caught four men breaking into two different vehicles directly in front of his house.

The victim chased them, tackling one of them to the ground. That is when approximately five gunshots were fired. Martinez was shot twice, according to police.

Martinez's aunt said several relatives are at the hospital with Martinez while he recovers.

Police said he underwent surgery and is stable.

Police said their investigation found that two cars were broken into in the area, along with another three cars on the same street.

They are still looking for the shooter.

Cox Media Group