Former Albany man apparently shoots, kills wife, himself

LAWRENCEVILLE — A former Albany man apparently shot and killed his wife, dropped his three young children off at an apartment complex leasing office, returned to his apartment and shot and killed himself, officials in this north Georgia city said.

Gwinnett County police responded to the apartment complex shortly after 9:30 a.m. Saturday after receiving a call from the leasing office that three young children, all under the age of 10, had been dropped off at the office.

Police identified the man as Kalvin Wright, 48, and his wife as Gentorica Wright, 33. Both were discovered by SWAT members dead from gunshot wounds.

“(The children) informed the staff there that their mother had been shot by their father,” Gwinnett County Police Department Det. David Smith said. “We learned shortly thereafter that the father had dropped them off at the leasing office and then returned to the apartment. Once he returned to the apartment, officers attempted to make contact and were unsuccessful. Due to a possible barricaded gunman situation, we notified the SWAT team, who responded to the location.”

After the bodies were discovered, the department’s homicide unit was called to take over the investigation.

“We do believe it was domestic in nature at this time,” Smith said. “They were married. What we have learned is that they were having marital issues, so we do believe it was domestic.”

Smith said that while the investigation is ongoing, based on what the children said, detectives “believe (the mother) was injured or shot before (the father) brought them up to the leasing office.”

“We believe that he probably did go back and shoot himself at that point, but we’re still not sure and it is still an active investigation,” Smith said.

The children are staying with family members, Smith said.