The Hall County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three more suspects in last month’s shooting on Barrett Road, including the gunshot victim.
According to the preliminary investigation, four men, including the shooter, David Rivera, 24, of Gainesville, had conspired to commit a robbery in Dawson County. The suspects, traveling in two vehicles, met at a parking lot in Gainesville, where Rivera decided not to participate in the robbery, the sheriff’s office says.
Rivera left the parking lot alone and drove to his residence in the 2900 block of Barrett Road. The other three men, identified as Randy Carl Smallwood, 54, Juan R. Fuentes-Contreras, 34, and Paul Matthew Gilleland, 28, all of Gainesville, followed Rivera to his home.
When they arrived, a confrontation occurred between Smallwood and Rivera outside of the residence. During the encounter, Rivera fired a handgun at Smallwood, resulting in wounds to his arm and leg, according to the initial investigation.
Smallwood got back into the vehicle with Fuentes-Contreras and Gilleland, and the three drove off. Rivera also got back into his vehicle and left the scene.
The two vehicles were involved in a collision a short distance from the residence. Rivera drove away, while the vehicle Smallwood was in overturned. A motorist observed Smallwood on the side of the road and called 911. Gainesville Police, Hall County Fire Services and the Sheriff’s Office all responded. Smallwood was transported to the hospital for treatment.
Sheriff’s Office Investigators arrested Fuentes-Contreras and Gilleland on Jan. 31, each on a charge of possession of a sawed-off shotgun in connection with the incident.
On February 5, Detectives obtained arrest warrants for Fuentes-Contreras, Gilleland and Smallwood for conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Fuentes-Contreras and Gilleland have remained in jail since Jan. 31. Smallwood was arrested on Feb. 5, following his release from the hospital. Smallwood is also charged with possession of a sawed-off shotgun.
Rivera has remained in the Barrow County Detention Center since his arrest by Winder Police on Jan. 31. He faces charges of aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated battery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and reckless conduct in Hall County.
The case remains under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. The Georgia State Patrol handled the vehicle collision investigation.
