WHO WILL TAKE OSCAR HOME? Film critic Michael Clark predicts the winners. Page 8C
SEMIFINAL SHOWDOWN Wesleyan, GAC girls win to set up county clash in basketball playoffs • Page 3B
Gwinnett Daily Post FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2016
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Vol. 46, No. 95
Investigation ‘intensifies’ on triple fatal fire By Joshua sharpe
joshua.sharpe@gwinnettdailypost.com
TUCKER — In search of answers in the ashes, investigators returned Thursday to the home where a Gwinnett County woman and her young daughters died in a house fire. District Attorney Danny Porter told the Daily Post his office is assisting the fire department with the case, which he said
seems to be “intensifying” because of “inconsistent” statements made by the lone survivor, husband and father Brent Patterson. Porter was clear that no determination had been made as to whether the Feb. 9 blaze was an accident or intentional. Authorities are just “taking a closer look,” he said. Patterson, who has said he tried all he could with the help
of neighbors to save his family, couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday night. An employee at his chain restaurant in Austell, who didn’t identify herself, said Patterson had no comment. Patterson didn’t immediately respond to a Facebook message. The statements the DA is referring to were made to
Workers study the scene Thursday as investigators and others returned to the scene of a Gwinnett County house fire that killed a mother and her two daughters Feb. 9. Investigators are trying to determine what caused the blaze, and the house may be knocked down because it’s a hazard in its state. (Staff Photo: Joshua Sharpe)
See FIRE, Page 8A
Suspect arrested in homicide By Keith Farner keith.farner@gwinnettdailypost.com
Richards Middle School student Jordan Williams participates in a drill during a recent practice using new basketballs donated from Dr. Pepper Snapple. (Staff Photos: Keith Farner)
Game on By Keith Farner
Richards Middle benefits from sports equipment donation
keith.farner@gwinnettdailypost.com
LAWRENCEVILLE — For Deborah Wyatt, it’s not a matter of new versus old equipment. It’s new versus no equipment. That was what Wyatt, who coaches basketball at the school, said was the impact a slew of new sporting goods equipment has had on the basketball and soccer teams at Richards Middle School. Underinflated basketballs and soccer balls that kick more like bowling balls have been ushered out in favor of new, top-of-the-line equipment. Earlier this school year, Dr Pepper Snapple donated equipment valued at $5,023 to the school that resulted in about 30 basketballs, 20 soccer balls and practice jerseys. The school was given the equipment based on it having 92 percent of students who qualify for the free or reduced price lunch program, Wyatt said. The money came from a partnership between Dr Pepper Snapple and Good Sports, a charity that works with sporting goods manufacturers. Teacher Michael Spivey has started a soccer program at the school, and he said it’s changed how the students feel about the sport. “When they step out and they’ve got the right equipment, the right balls, they’re not kicking around melons and things that are barely moveable,” he said. “They just feel better about their game, and it’s one less thing to worry about. So I think, overall, the equipment, what it’s done is it’s given them a sense of pride of what we’re trying to accomplish, which is be a good soccer team here.” Previously, Wyatt said 10 balls for 50
Nearly a month to the day of a double homicide in Norcross, Gwinnett County police on Thursday announced that they made an arrest but are still looking into a motive. Police spokesman Cpl. Deon Washington said Quintarius Walker, 17, of Tucker was arrested for the murder of Jaquille Thomas, 18, Quintarius and Angelique BowWalker man. Police more than a week ago announced they had identified a “primary suspect” on security camera video. “Walker provided a statement to police that helped to solidify the investigation,” Washington said. “The specifics of why the murders happened are still being investigated.” Police are not looking for any more suspects. Walker was charged with one count of malice murder and two counts each of felony murder and aggravated assault. The bodies were found about 200 yards apart in the 6000 block of Wandering Way. At 10:49 p.m. on Jan. 24, the suspect passed the camera for the first time. He carried a handgun openly and walked down Wandering Way, followed by Thomas, whose long dreads stand out in the footage.
See SUSPECT, Page 8A
Residents can share input on transportation By Curt yeomans curt.yeomans@gwinnettdailypost.com
At left, Richards Middle School student Isaiah Douthard goes in for a layup during a recent practice at the school. Richards received $5,023 in donated sporting goods for its basketball and soccer teams. Above, some of the 30 basketballs Richards Middle School recently received thanks to a donation from Dr Pepper Snapple are seen.
See DONATION, Page 8A
Gwinnett County residents who want to have their voices heard on the future of the county’s transportation network had better break out their calendars. The county has launched a section on its website for the ongoing update to its Comprehensive Transportation Plan, known as Destination 2040, and announced the dates of upcoming public input meetings that begin in a little over two weeks. Residents who cannot attend a meeting have the option of submitting their input electronically through an online feedback option at destination2040gwinnett.com. The meetings and website are part of the county’s community outreach efforts, which will also possibly include setting up booths at community events, to ensure they get participation from as many Gwinnett residents as possible. “Public input and feedback are critical to ensuring that the updated CTP reflects the community’s transportation goals and priorities,” officials explained on the
See TRANSPORTATION, Page 7A
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