Powder Springs, Ga. — The quiet block of Yoshino Terrace was shattered last weekend when 72-year-old Monica Brookins and her 73-year-old husband, John Wells, were shot and killed inside their home in a shocking domestic incident that has left neighbors grieving and the wider community searching for answers.
Saturday afternoon around 12:30 p.m., Powder Springs police responded to a call at the couple’s residence where they discovered Brookins and Wells suffering from multiple gunshot wounds after returning from a family celebration. Both were rushed to a local hospital but later died from their injuries.
Authorities quickly identified the suspect as 31-year-old Martin Duberry, the biological son of Brookins and stepson of Wells, who also lived in the home. Officers say Duberry was taken into custody at the scene without reported resistance and is now jailed without bond facing two counts of murder, multiple counts of aggravated battery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
According to arrest warrants and police records, Duberry called Cobb County dispatch shortly after the shooting to confess to the crime, indicating he had shot both victims. Warrants further allege he stated he was “tired” of living with his parents and “wanted to be alone.” Police say the violence unfolded as the couple arrived home from what neighbors described as a birthday outing for Wells.
Friends and neighbors describe Brookins as a beloved community member who greeted everyone with a warm smile and had especially strong ties with those on her street. Many say she was active in neighborhood life, from tending her garden to offering a kind word to anyone who crossed her path, creating a ripple of sorrow now felt far beyond her immediate circle.
The close-knit Powder Springs neighborhood, known for its peace and friendly faces, is struggling to come to terms with the sudden, violent loss. Several residents have left flowers and notes near the home, while others recall Brookins’ gentle nature and her readiness to help others—even in small daily gestures that now feel painfully significant.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances that led up to the tragedy, and no additional suspects are being sought. For many in Powder Springs, the aftermath has been a blend of grief, confusion and a deep longing to understand how such violence could erupt in a place that once felt safe. Memorials for Brookins and Wells have become informal but heartfelt gatherings, underscoring the profound impact the couple had on neighbors and friends across the community.
*For ongoing updates and more on this story as it develops, check local news outlets covering Powder Springs and Cobb County.*
