Police ask for help in Norcross man's homicide

NORCROSS, Ga. — Gwinnett County police are turning to the public for information on a killing that may have started as a burglary.

Investigators identified the victim as Bryan Ritzert, 27. Police said it appeared someone forced their way into the home on Falling Water Lane in Norocrss that Ritzert shared with two roommates. Those roommates were home at the time.

Police said the roommates heard a commotion in the overnight hours, but never went downstairs to check it out.

"When they did come downstairs early in the morning, they discovered their roommate was unconscious. When the officers arrived and checked him out, they discovered that he had been shot," said Cpl. Jake Smith with the Gwinnett County Police Department.

Investigators told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh the roommates initially reported a burglary to police. They say there were signs someone forced their way in. The roommates told police they never heard a gunshot.

"While the roommates are not completely free from suspicion, the detectives are pretty satisfied at this point that the roommates are not responsible for the homicide," Smith said.

Police said they don't know why Ritzert was targeted. They hope a neighbor saw something or friends of the victim will come forward with information.

WSBTV