Atlanta Man Allegedly Murders Mother, Step-Father, Cousin In Domestic Dispute

Three people have been discovered dead inside a house as neighbors discover the horrific connection between the culprit and the victims.

The Atlanta man was apprehended and charged with killing his mother, stepfather, and cousin after they were found shot dead in the suspect's home on Tuesday, according to Cobb County police.

Investigators believe that the shooting occurred due to a domestic dispute between the defendant, 32-year-old Marcus Smith, his mother Janice Peaks, 60, stepfather Donnell Peaks, 63, and cousin Cameron King, 38.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that when officers arrived to a call on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m., they found three victims who had been shot. Donnell and Janice Peaks passed away there, according to Cobb County police spokeswoman Wayne Delk.

King passed away soon after being checked into a nearby hospital. The arrest warrant states that Janice and King were both shot in the head, while Donnell was wounded in the head and legs. Tuesday, authorities made an arrest of Smith close to his home. Prison records imply that the shooting occurred in the alleged gunman's home, even though it is unclear whether the victims resided with Smith.

Furthermore, it's a mystery why there seemed to be a domestic dispute. Delk said there are no other suspects and that Smith is being held without bond.

According to the arrest warrant, Donnell Peaks was shot in the head and legs. King and his wife both sustained head wounds. King and Smith might be first or second cousins, according to Delk. The Sun mentioned that although Smith's primary location is listed as Gardner Street, it is unclear whether all three victims lived there.

Macon Telegraph wrote that a Darth Vader figure was allegedly placed on one of the corpses by a Georgia man suspected of killing his mother and stepfather. This week's trial in Macon started with the discovery of several peculiar elements, including that one.

Anthony Douglas Shoffner Jr., 27, is suspected of killing his stepfather, Kenneth Griffin, 42, and mother, Rebecca Griffin, 46 on March 10, 2020, in Perry. At the time of the couple's murder, he was living with them.

Shoffner had already served time for his involvement in a methamphetamine network within the jail. He was a former correctional officer at a state prison in Macon County. After residing with the Griffins, he was released in 2019, according to the Telegraph.

In addition to a Darth Vader figurine, a coffee mug, and one cowboy boot, Kenneth Griffin's body was found wrapped in a blanket. Attorney Eric Edwards gave an explanation for the peculiar appearance.

When the evidence that was supposed to be suppressed was discovered in a video, the court declared a mistrial on Wednesday. According to WSBTV, Shoffner will be tried again in the coming weeks.