Gwinnett County police charged a 19-year-old with two counts of felony murder after two teens were shot dead Wednesday night on Heather Stone Way. Police said it happened during a vape cartridge sale.

Two teenagers, ages 17 and 14, were shot and killed Wednesday night on Heather Stone Way, a residential street north of Lawrenceville. Gwinnett County police said Thursday they have charged a 19-year-old man with their murders.

Officers were called to a person shot call on the street at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4. They found two people with apparent gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. That is according to the department’s first statement, posted shortly after midnight.

What police said happened

In an update Thursday afternoon, the department named the man it charged as Alexander Canela-Panchi, 19. Detectives said he met the two teens at the location to sell them vape cartridges. Police said an altercation broke out during the sale and that Canela-Panchi shot both of them.

He is charged with:

  • two counts of felony murder
  • two counts of aggravated assault
  • possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
  • possession with intent to distribute narcotics

Detectives are still investigating what led to the shooting and are working to verify other details, the department said. Its first statement said the person in custody was cooperating with detectives.

An arrest or charge is an accusation. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in court.

We have not named the two teens who died because they were minors.

Where it happened

Heather Stone Way is a neighborhood street with a Lawrenceville mailing address, ZIP code 30043, about six miles north of downtown. Gwinnett County police, not the Lawrenceville Police Department, are handling the case.

What it means for you

  • Police said the shooting appears to be an isolated incident, with no known threat to the public.
  • Anyone with information can call Gwinnett County police detectives at 770-513-5300.
  • Earlier items from Gwinnett County and Lawrenceville police are on our Police and Fire log.

If you are named in an item on this site and the record has changed, here is how to ask for a correction.