Police say Matthew “Pete” Milner, 18, was shot during an exchange of gunfire; the shooter fled before officers arrived.
WOODSTOCK, Ga. — Woodstock police are seeking the person responsible for killing 18-year-old Matthew “Pete” Milner in his apartment late Monday afternoon at the Riverstock Apartments on Arnold Mill Road. Officers responding around 5:30 p.m. found Milner with gunshot wounds; he was taken to a hospital and died.
The homicide investigation, assisted by state agents, is in its early stages. Detectives say evidence suggests a confrontation inside the unit that escalated to a brief exchange of gunfire. The suspect left before officers arrived, and police have not released a description. The case has unsettled a city that sees few homicides, prompting a wide canvass for surveillance video and witnesses, and renewed police presence near the complex’s breezeways and parking lots through the week.
Capt. Ron Sinfelt, a department spokesperson, said a person entered Milner’s apartment shortly before the gunfire. “We did find a large amount of cash and illegal narcotics in the apartment itself, and there’s indication there was a brief gunfight,” Sinfelt said. Investigators collected shell casings, photographed the scene and searched for bullet impacts along interior walls. A small memorial—flowers, a teddy bear and a handwritten note that read “In loving and fond memory”—appeared by the door the next day as neighbors returned from work to find police tape and patrol units still parked outside.
Police identified the victim as Milner, 18, and confirmed he lived at the Riverstock complex. Authorities have not specified how many shots were fired or provided details about the weapon used. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is assisting with forensic analysis, including ballistics and digital evidence. Detectives are reviewing camera footage from the complex and surrounding businesses and are working to obtain any doorbell videos recorded between late afternoon and early evening Monday. Officials said they are also tracing phone contacts to reconstruct Milner’s movements earlier in the day and to determine whether he expected a visitor.
Residents described hearing several pops, then footsteps in the breezeway. One neighbor, who asked not to be named, said she dialed 911 after seeing people peering from balconies. Another resident said officers asked to check his security camera feed and later returned to take measurements in the stairwell. People who live at Riverstock told reporters violent crime is rare at the complex. City officials have said homicides remain unusual in Woodstock, a point underscored by the attention this case has drawn from multiple Atlanta-area newsrooms and the rapid involvement of state investigators.
Detectives outlined near-term steps: complete the autopsy; submit shell casings and recovered bullets to state and federal databases; process any fingerprints and potential touch DNA; and prepare search warrants for phone records and social media accounts. If a person of interest is identified, police said they will seek an arrest warrant and release information that would not compromise the investigation. The department has not issued a public alert naming a suspect or describing a vehicle. Officials said updates will come as evidence is verified and leads are confirmed.
In the days since the shooting, uniformed officers have maintained patrols near the building where Milner lived while plainclothes detectives followed tips from residents and callers. “You just don’t hear about this happening here,” said a man who lives across the courtyard, recalling a short volley of shots before dusk. Others left flowers and notes for the family. A woman placing a bouquet said she grew up in Woodstock and wanted to show support after seeing the news.
As of Friday, no arrests had been announced and police had not disclosed a suspect description. Investigators plan to share new details when lab results and video reviews are complete. The next update is expected after the weekend as the forensic testing progresses.
Author note: Last updated January 30, 2026.