An unsettling event occurred in Marietta, Georgia, on January 3, 2024, transforming what should have been a joyous occasion into a horrific crime scene.
Kenneth Cunningham, a local 40-year-old, was tragically shot and killed outside his residence at The Harlow apartment complex, located near the busy intersection of Cobb Parkway and Windy Hill Road.
Donovan Carter, 33, from Gwinnett County, Georgia, has since been apprehended and charged with multiple serious offenses, including murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and illegal possession of a firearm during a criminal act.
The Marietta Police Department, under the guidance of Public Information Officer Chuck McPhilamy, labeled the incident as a carefully orchestrated and premeditated assault.
Cunningham, who was romantically involved with Carter’s former girlfriend, was enticed out of his home under the impression he was receiving a package delivery.
On that day, his 40th birthday, he had prepared to celebrate with kin and friends who had traveled from Chicago. However, his birthday tragically morphed into a deadly ambush. Eyewitnesses reported a tall, thin male running away from the scene directly after the shooting, which involved multiple gunshots.
The prompt response and collaboration of the Marietta Police Department with various other law enforcement bodies, such as the Cobb County 911 Center, Cobb County Police Department, Smyrna Police Department, Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gwinnett County Police Department, played a vital role in Carter’s expeditious arrest in Gwinnett County.
Cunningham’s demise has profoundly impacted his family and community. Known as a warm-hearted and humorous person, his aunt, Daphne Bell, fondly reminisced about his talent to bring joy to others with his jokes, stories, and impersonations. Neighbors and friends expressed their shock and sorrow, offering prayers for the family’s recovery.
The investigation unearthed that Carter had intentionally journeyed over an hour to Cunningham’s location, masquerading as a delivery driver as part of his plot. This deliberate act facilitated him to encounter and lethally shoot Cunningham multiple times outside his residence.
The Marietta Police Department is persisting with its investigation to ensure justice for Kenneth Cunningham and his bereaved family. The crime’s motive is believed to be rooted in a romantic dispute, though authorities have affirmed that Carter’s ex-girlfriend had no involvement in the shooting.