One stray bullet struck the apartment wall and killed a young British astrophysicist.
Matthew Willson, 31, was hit in the head by a shot fired from around 780ft away – moments after being woken by the sound of ‘rapid gunfire’ as he slept alongside his American partner Katherine Shepard, 26.
Family members described Dr Willson’s beautiful soul as “beautiful” because he only arrived in America two days prior to his reunion with his girlfriend, whom he’d known for three years while studying for his Post-Doctorate at Georgia State University.
Miss Shepard was distraught and told the Daily Mail how she felt when she realized that he was being hit, after having heard up to 50 shots outside.
She said, “I was sitting on my bed and looking out the window to check if there were any objects.”
Matthew Willson was devoted to this last photo taken with Katherine Shepard, his girlfriend after they flew to America for her wedding. The 31-year-old was hit in the head by a shot fired from around 780ft away – moments after being woken by the sound of ‘rapid gunfire’ as he slept alongside Miss Shepard
Miss Shepard was distraught and told the Daily Mail how she saw that he had been struck after hearing about 50 shots fired outside. ‘I was sitting on my bed, looking out through the window. I felt the bed move – Matt was possibly getting up – and there was a tiny explosion in our room,’ she said. (Above: The apartment block where they were sleeping).
‘I felt the bed move – Matt was possibly getting up – and there was a tiny explosion in our room.
“Then I heard Matt’s breathing change, and I inquired if he was alright.
He began to slump over, she said. She turned on the lights and saw that he had been shot in his head.
When her flatmate called 911, Miss Shepard attempted to render first aid.
An ambulance arrived in 20 minutes. Shots were still being heard from a nearby car park, at 780 feet.
Miss Shepard explained, “I lay down on my back holding a towel under his head. He started to close his eyes.”
“He appeared to be staring at me. But he didn’t talk at all. His breathing was difficult and he would sometimes start shaking. I just felt panic.’
Dr Willson was taken to the hospital at 3:00 AM on Sunday, but was declared dead by doctors Tuesday.
He lived with his parents in Chertsey (Surrey) and was a remote researcher for University of Liege.
While the death has been ruled a homicide by investigators, Dr Willson is not being considered a suspect.
According to police, the incident appeared to involve individuals who participated in recklessly firing firearms.
Miss Shepard demanded justice last night, saying that she believed they should be sent to prison for their entire lives.
“It is a horrible thought that they don’t even realize what they have done, and yet they are out there.”
For any information, Dr Willson’s relatives have offered an undisclosed cash bonus.
“I laid down on the mattress holding a towel over his head, talking to him, and shaking his hands whenever he closed his eyes,” Miss Shepard stated. Dr Willson, who was being rushed to hospital early Sunday morning, was declared dead Tuesday.
Kate, his devastated sister and 28-year-old from Sweden, flew to Atlanta last night to be with him in hospital. Someone was playing with the gun. There is no logic. We were robbed.
“It is so stupid and it has taken Matthew from us.
“He was so generous and wanted to have a family, to be settled down with Katherine and the rest of his family.
She paid tribute to her brother by saying: “He was such an intelligent and joyous person, such beautiful soul. His light was truly a beacon of hope in this world. He was a true light in the world. I arrived on Monday, and we had to bid farewell.
“He had already passed, but I was able to bid farewell to his physical presence here in the world.”
The couple had been excited about reuniting after being separated since last summer – and had planned to spend three months together in the US.
Miss Willson claimed her parents were broken and that they couldn’t comprehend what had happened to her son.
Aman Kar, Miss Shepard’s flatmate said he heard 30 shots intermittently fired within 20 minutes.
He said, “I heard Katherine screaming, and I went to her room.”
“Matt was shot!”” She stared out from the window, and continued to say that. Matt was shot!”
According to Mr Kar, a bullet entered through an exterior wall through Miss Shepard’s bedroom window and struck Dr Willson’s head.