FITZGERALD, Ga. — A forklift operator who won over $430,000 playing the Georgia lottery was shot and killed during a home invasion, according to police.
Friends and family say Craigory Burch, Jr., 30, was targeted because he won $434,272 in November.
The victim’s girlfriend says a shotgun blew open the door and three masked, armed men ran inside their home.
“When they came in, he said, ‘Don’t do it bro. Don’t do it in front of my kids.’ He said, ‘Please don’t do it in front of my kids and my old lady. Please don’t do that bro. Please don’t.’ He said, ‘I’ll give you my bank card,'” Jasmine Hendricks told WALB.
Hendricks said she is certain the suspects were after some of the money he won.
“Ever since he hit the lottery we kept getting calls, text messages, all that, saying, ‘Be careful because people are out for him to rob him,” Hendricks said.
Hendricks said during the home invasion, Burch threw his pants at the suspects.
After realizing Burch’s wallet was not in the pants, the suspects shot and killed him seconds before fleeing the home.
The victim’s mother wants justice for those responsible in the killing.
“I want them to know what they took from me. They took a part of my life away from me. My child that I carried and raised for 20 years,” Leslie Collins said.
Authorities have not named any suspects in the case.
