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Family says breakup prefaced double-fatal shooting

The family of a father shot and killed outside of his job says they have questions they still need answered.

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Police found the lifeless bodies of Cedric Ryce, 25, of Morrow, and girlfriend Shenika Freeman in a parking area outside Towne Air Freight warehouse, located on Tradeport Drive, Sunday.

Family members tell Channel 2 Action News Ryce worked there.

Channel 2 Action News was the only news station there as investigators combed the scene for hours.

They said they received a call after employees heard screaming and then gunshots at about 1:30 p.m.

Ryce and Freeman were both found dead on scene from apparent gunshots, according to police.

Channel 2’s Amy Napier Viteri spoke to Ryce’s aunt on Monday about the questions the family still has about their loved one’s killing.

Sharon Burke tells Viteri the hardest part is explaining it all to his two small children.

“How do you explain this to two little ones that are so young? How do you explain that their dad isn't here anymore?” she said.

Burke said her nephew was all about family, and leaves behind a 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. She said the family got a phone call Sunday afternoon that someone had found Ryce and his girlfriend, Freeman, shot to death at his job.

“He was a father, a son, a brother, a God-fearing young man with a bright future ahead of him,” Burke said.

Investigators say they found one weapon and do not believe anyone else was involved in the shooting.

“We do have a question as to how this young lady was able to get onto property on his job,” Burke said.

Viteri spoke to the terminal manager for the company, who says the shooting happened in a parking area outside the facility, which is open to the public. He said Ryce had worked there for about a year and was a good employee, and well-liked by all.

According to friends, Freeman had recently been promoted to sergeant in the U.S. Army.

Burke said Ryce was trying to get out of the relationship.

“Cedric was actually trying to break this off completely,” Burke told Viteri.

She said it was a shock for the family, who can now only wait to hear from investigators about what they learn.

“It’s just a tragedy,” she said. “It's two families with questions that need answers.”

Stay with WSBTV.com and watch Channel 2 Action News for updates on this story.

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