Teen Suspect Arrested After Two Brothers Were Killed in Lawrenceville Vape Sale Dispute, Gwinnett County Police Say

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Gwinnett County police say a 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder after two teenage brothers were shot and killed during a dispute over a vape cartridge transaction Wednesday night.

Investigators identified the suspect as Alexander Canela-Panchi and said he met the brothers on Heather Stone Way in Lawrenceville to sell them vape cartridges. Police say the encounter turned into an altercation and ended with both teenagers being shot.

The victims were identified as 17-year-old Jordan Boykin and 14-year-old Antonie Boykin. Both were found with apparent gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say the meeting turned deadly during the transaction

According to investigators, Canela-Panchi arranged the meeting for the purpose of selling vape cartridges. Police have not said what caused the argument to erupt or whether he knew the teenagers before they arrived.

Authorities also have not disclosed the sequence of events inside the confrontation beyond saying that an altercation happened during the transaction and that shots were fired. The shooting is being investigated as a drug-related killing.

Gwinnett County police said the case appears to be isolated and there is no known threat to the public. Even so, detectives are still working to confirm additional details gathered during the investigation.

Officers found two victims after an 8:30 p.m. shooting call

Police responded to a report of gunfire on Heather Stone Way at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4. When officers arrived, they found two people suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

Emergency crews pronounced both victims dead at the scene. Officials initially withheld the boys’ names and ages while investigators worked to determine what happened and identify those involved.

Gwinnett County police later confirmed that one person was in custody and cooperating with detectives as the investigation unfolded. The department said the case was moving quickly as investigators pieced together the timeline from the meeting to the shooting.

Canela-Panchi faces felony murder, assault and firearm charges

After identifying the suspect, detectives announced Thursday that Canela-Panchi had been arrested. He now faces two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

He is also charged with possession with intent to distribute narcotics. Police have not publicly explained the basis for each count beyond the allegation that the meeting involved a planned vape cartridge sale and that the shooting appeared drug-related.

The charges reflect both the fatal shooting and the larger criminal investigation surrounding the transaction. Detectives have said they are still verifying information obtained during the case.

Authorities are asking witnesses to come forward with information

Gwinnett County police are asking anyone with information about the killings to contact detectives at 770-513-5300. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS or through StopCrimeATL.com.

Crime Stoppers says it offers cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest and indictment. Investigators are hoping additional witnesses or anyone with knowledge of the meeting will help fill in the remaining gaps.

Police have not said whether any other arrests are expected. For now, the case remains an active homicide investigation centered on the deadly meeting in Lawrenceville.

The case was first briefed at the scene by police spokespersons

Gwinnett County Police Department Public Information Officer Cpl. Angela Carter briefed reporters at the scene Wednesday night, according to the department. The agency said the information released later was updated as detectives confirmed the victims’ identities and the suspect’s arrest.

That early response outlined the basic facts: two people had been shot, both were dead, and investigators believed the incident had been isolated. The department later tied the case to the alleged vape sale and identified the suspect as Canela-Panchi.

Police have continued to describe the matter as an active investigation. As of Thursday, detectives were still working to verify every detail surrounding the meeting and the circumstances that led to the fatal confrontation.