LILBURN, Ga. (AP) — A high school coach and his 17-year-old son were killed in their home by an intruder, and police killed a suspect who had fled into a wooded area.
Bill Venable, 55, a head wrestling coach and special education teacher at Tucker High School, and his son, Bill Venable Jr., a senior at the same school, were killed late Tuesday, Gwinnett County police spokesman Dan Huggins said.
The attacker was believed to have earlier broken into another home about two miles away, where he stole a car. Huggins said the man is believed to have chosen the two homes at random.
The two victims struggled with the attacker, police said. Venable's wife, Susan, was not hurt, said neighbor Delores Hendrix.
Lilburn police called Gwinnett County police for backup with a helicopter and police dog.
Huggins said the suspect, found in the wooded area, shot the dog, and officers returned fire, hitting the suspect several times. He died at Gwinnett Medical Center, Huggins said. The dog was expected to survive.
The suspect had not been identified Wednesday morning, Huggins said.
Tucker High School planned a moment of silence to remember the Venables, said Principal Scott Butler.
"It's hard to go in there right now because everyone is crying," junior Erica Ulmer said Wednesday.