US detectives confirm that the bullet was less than 300 feet away from a British young scientist, who had been visiting California to visit his girlfriend.
Dr Matthew Willson, 31, was killed by a shot fired less than 100 yards away early on Sunday morning — moments after being woken by the sound of ‘rapid gunfire’ as he slept alongside his 26-year-old partner Katherine Shephard in Atlanta, Georgia.
Two days prior to his death in an apartment block on Clairmont Road in Buford Highway, the astrophysicist from Chertsey, Surrey had traveled to America with Miss Shephard.
US investigators have opened an investigation into the homicide. However, detectives stated that Dr Willson wasn’t a target. Sergeant Jake Kissel from the Brookhaven Police Department said the fatal shooting appeared to be the result of ‘reckless discharge’ by random people.
Speaking to media, Sgt Kissel said no arrests have been made so far, adding: ‘Our investigation team is treating it as a homicide, even though we believe that it was a random act and complete reckless discharging of firearms, we’re still approaching it as a homicide.
‘I think that’s the best way for us to approach it because that’s what we’re used to and we’re capable of tracking down and viewing the evidence and making sure that we’re getting all of those steps and the puzzle pieces put back together, so we are approaching it as a homicide until the evidence dictates something different.’
According to Sgt Kissel, the bullet that struck Dr Willson traveled less than 300ft. It entered the apartment through the exterior wall.
Matthew Willson and Katherine Shepard were married for the final time. 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, who was devastated by the news, told The Daily Mail about the moment that she realized he’d been shot after listening to up to 50 shots from 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. (Also, you can see the block in which the couple were staying.
‘The two apartment complexes where the gunfire took place and where Matthew was staying, they’re separated by a patch of woods, so they back up to each other,’ the officer said.
‘We’re saying it’s the reckless discharge of firearms from one apartment complex and the stray bullet travelled through the woods and entered his apartment. We’re following all information we get. We’re receiving tips from the public and our investigator team has been working around the clock to ensure that we’re tracking down the individuals that are responsible.’
Talking about the incident, the officer added: ‘It’s the first of its kind in my knowledge to the city of Brookhaven where an innocent bystander is struck and killed by a stray bullet.
‘For me and my 15-year law enforcement career, this is the first time that I’ve ever dealt with this type of situation. This is alarming. It is an awful event. It is shocking to learn about the circumstances and attempt to piece them together. It’s something that’s been… it’s a very tall task.’
He also insisted the area is generally safe, adding: ‘Brookhaven in general is a safe area. We don’t typically deal with a whole lot of gun violence as far as deaths go.
‘So generally it’s a safe area. The Buford Highway and Clairmont Road corridor where the incident took place is one of the more heavily populated areas, so I think that’s what we’re up against and why we’re seeing this type of crime occur where it did.’
Dr Willson’s alma mater, the University of Exeter, has now paid tribute to the English scientist. A spokesman for the university said in a statement: ‘Matthew Willson was a former PhD student at the University of Exeter and much-loved member of our astrophysics team.
‘We have been informed about his tragic death in the US and our hearts go out to his family, friends and colleagues. We are offering support to colleagues at the University who will also want to commemorate his life.’
Stefan Kraus, professor of astrophysics at Exeter, described Dr Willson as a ‘passionate observational astronomer’ and said his research had contributed to the understanding of how planets formed.
Miss Shepard explained that she sat on the bed, holding a towel under his head, and talked to him. She also said that he would start closing his eyes if he didn’t open them. Dr Willson was taken to the hospital at 3:00 AM on Sunday, but was declared dead by Miss Shepard.
Dr. Willson (31 years old) was staying in Atlanta’s suburb with his family.
After hearing 50 shots from outside, Miss Shepard was devastated and told The Mail about the moment that she realized he’d been killed.
‘I was kneeling on my bed looking out of the window to see if I could see anything,’ she said.
‘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 asked if he was OK.’
She said it was when he started to slump over that she turned on the light: ‘I saw he’d been shot in the head and screamed.’
Her flatmate called emergency services and Miss Shepard was able to provide first aid. An ambulance was dispatched to the location near a carpark 20 minutes later.
‘I knelt on the bed holding a towel to his head and talking to him and shaking him whenever he started closing his eyes,’ Miss Shepard said.
‘He looked like he was looking at me but he wasn’t talking at all and he was struggling to breathe and would occasionally 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.
Kate, his distraught sister, flew from Sweden to Atlanta to be at Matthew’s bedside last night. Someone was playing with the gun. There is no logic. We were robbed.
“It’s such an insane act, and it has taken Matthew from us.
“He wanted so much and had so many to give. He also desired a family to settle down. All of this with Katherine, who is part our family.
In a tribute, she said: “He was such wisdom and joy, such a beautiful spirit. His light was truly a beacon of hope in this world. It was Monday when I reached him and it was time to go.
“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 their precious son.
Aman Kar, Miss Shepard’s flatmate, said that he heard about 30 shots fired in a span of twenty minutes.
He said, “I heard Katherine screaming, and I entered her room.”
“Matt was shot!”” She stared out from the window, and continued to say that. Matt has been killed!”