Authorities are investigating the weekend slaying of a former Cumming police officer who was working as a security guard at an Atlanta apartment complex.
Robert Eugene Smith Jr., 43, was shot about 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Preserve at Collier Ridge on Dogwood Drive (click for map) in Atlanta.
Atlanta Police Officer Eric Schwartz said Smith was shot in the leg and later died at Grady Memorial Hospital.
Schwartz said an arrest has not been made in connection with the case.
“As of now, it’s still open,” he said.
Smith's younger brother, Chuck Pettyjohn, said the family has received mixed reports of what happened the night Smith was shot.
"I have heard everything from he was shot at a door to he was shot in the woods to he chased after somebody. I have no idea," he said.
Growing up, Pettyjohn said, Smith was always a leader and into karate.
"It was a relationship that later on, when I was younger I used to go to him for advice," he said. "Then later in years, he would come to me. We were always there for each other."
Scott Burgess, interim chief of the Cumming Police Department, confirmed that Smith had worked for the department several years ago.
“The city and the police department are saddened to hear that one of our former employees was lost,” he said.
Karey Hughes, a longtime friend of Smith's widow, Tiffani, said he was funny, loved helping others and was involved with his family. She said the couple married in November 2008.
"She was probably the happiest I've seen her since they got married," Hughes said.
She said Smith was also a NASCAR fan.
According to his obituary, Smith also loved animals and enjoyed music and hunting.
Smith’s funeral is scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday at Ingram Funeral Home in Cumming.
Other immediate survivors include his children, Robert “Chad,” Chelsea Elyse and Robert Aaron Smith, all of Cumming, and parents, Charles and Joyce Pettyjohn of Monroe, and several siblings.
Robert Eugene Smith Jr., 43, was shot about 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Preserve at Collier Ridge on Dogwood Drive (click for map) in Atlanta.
Atlanta Police Officer Eric Schwartz said Smith was shot in the leg and later died at Grady Memorial Hospital.
Schwartz said an arrest has not been made in connection with the case.
“As of now, it’s still open,” he said.
Smith's younger brother, Chuck Pettyjohn, said the family has received mixed reports of what happened the night Smith was shot.
"I have heard everything from he was shot at a door to he was shot in the woods to he chased after somebody. I have no idea," he said.
Growing up, Pettyjohn said, Smith was always a leader and into karate.
"It was a relationship that later on, when I was younger I used to go to him for advice," he said. "Then later in years, he would come to me. We were always there for each other."
Scott Burgess, interim chief of the Cumming Police Department, confirmed that Smith had worked for the department several years ago.
“The city and the police department are saddened to hear that one of our former employees was lost,” he said.
Karey Hughes, a longtime friend of Smith's widow, Tiffani, said he was funny, loved helping others and was involved with his family. She said the couple married in November 2008.
"She was probably the happiest I've seen her since they got married," Hughes said.
She said Smith was also a NASCAR fan.
According to his obituary, Smith also loved animals and enjoyed music and hunting.
Smith’s funeral is scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday at Ingram Funeral Home in Cumming.
Other immediate survivors include his children, Robert “Chad,” Chelsea Elyse and Robert Aaron Smith, all of Cumming, and parents, Charles and Joyce Pettyjohn of Monroe, and several siblings.