(Monday, August 9^th @approximately 10:40 PM) Uniform Patrol Officers from the Gwinnett County Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in a residential drive within the 200 block of Bona Road.  This is a residential address located within unincorporated Gwinnett County in an area associated with Buford. 

Patrol Officers responding to the report located a suspicious vehicle.  Additionally, they located an adult male that could be directly associated with the vehicle.  Through their preliminary investigation, the officers found that his presence at that location, at that time was suspicious.  During the course of their conversations with this person, the individual fled from the officers.  A brief foot chase followed.  While pursuing, one of the officer suffered an injury to his ankle and was unable to continue. Investigating the suspicious vehicle further officers established cause to look within the vehicle's trunk.  Doing so, they discovered the body of an unknown person. The officers immediately secured the scene and contacted Gwinnett County Police Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators.

This remains an active ongoing investigation.  The suspected cause of death, the gender, the age and the identity of the deceased are being withheld.  The victim is believed to be an adult.  The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner's Office will join the investigation and conduct an autopsy.  The Medical Examiner will then establish the cause and manner of the victim's death.

The identity of the subject fleeing from police is known.  However, at this time his name is being withheld.  Detectives are working to establish the exact reason for his presence at and his flight from the scene.  The Crime Scene Investigations Unit continues to examine the scene and the vehicle, collecting evidence.

The injured officer suffered a broken ankle.  He has since been treated and released from the hospital. 

Detectives encourage anyone with information about this incident to come forward.  Information can be relayed to detectives at 770-513-5300 or through Crime Stoppers at 404-577-TIPS (8477).  Information can be provided anonymously and may result in a reward of up to $2000.00.

UPDATE 1 - Tuesday, August 10^th, 2010:

Detectives have arrested 45 year-old Paul Sherman of Buford in connection with the ongoing investigation into the victim's death.  Sherman was the individual who fled from officers investigating the suspicious vehicle report.  Sherman was located in Buford.  At this point in the ongoing investigation, Detectives have charged Sherman with one count of Obstruction, one count of Loitering and Prowling and one count of Violation of Georgia's Controlled Substance Act. 

The identity of the deceased remains undisclosed.  The overall incident remains under investigation as a homicide.  This continues to be an active investigation. 

The injured Gwinnett County Police Officer, Police Officer D. Wilcox, is recovering from a broken ankle.  He is a three year veteran of the Police Department.

UPDATE 2 - Wednesday, August 11^th, 2010:

The deceased has been identified as 59 year-old Joanne Kent of Buford.  The Gwinnett County Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed that Kent was the victim of a homicide.

This remains an active investigation.  Detectives are currently pursuing all active and viable leads in an effort to identify and locate the criminals responsible for this murder. 

UPDATE 3:  Wednesday, August 12^th, 2010

In addition to the previously leveled charges, Paul Sherman has now been charged with the murder of Joanne Kent.  On Tuesday, after extensive investigation, Sherman was additionally charged with one count of Malice Murder and one count of Concealing the Death of Another.  No bond has been set for these charges.  The Medical Examiners Office has determined that Kent died as a result of strangulation.