Man charged with murder in Brunswick restaurant parking lot shooting

Police identify victim and suspect in deadly incident at local eatery

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:48am

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An extreme close-up of a single spent shell casing on a dark, textured surface, dramatically lit by a harsh camera flash, conceptually representing the physical evidence of a violent crime.The aftermath of a deadly shooting in a Brunswick restaurant parking lot exposes the grim realities of gun violence in the community.Brunswick Today

The Brunswick Police Department has charged 29-year-old Gary Abray with murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and discharging a gun near a public highway for a deadly shooting that occurred in the parking lot of a local restaurant on Sunday. The victim was identified as 23-year-old Bryan Espinoza, who died at the scene.

Why it matters

Violent crimes like this shooting in a public place raise concerns about public safety and the need for better conflict resolution in the community. The incident also highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence and the importance of responsible firearm ownership and usage.

The details

According to police, the shooting occurred in the parking lot of a local restaurant in Brunswick, Georgia on Sunday morning. Espinoza, 23, was killed at the scene, and Abray, 29, was identified as the shooter. Abray has been charged with murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and discharging a gun near a public highway. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, and police are encouraging anyone with additional information to come forward.

  • The shooting occurred on Sunday morning in the parking lot of a local restaurant in Brunswick.
  • Police identified the victim as 23-year-old Bryan Espinoza, who died at the scene.

The players

Bryan Espinoza

The 23-year-old victim who was killed in the shooting.

Gary Abray

The 29-year-old suspect who has been charged with murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and discharging a gun near a public highway.

Brunswick Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the shooting incident.

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What they’re saying

“The investigation into the incident remains ongoing, and police are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact Detective Justin Bradley at (912) 279-2641.”

— Brunswick Police Department

What’s next

The judge will determine whether to grant bail for the suspect, Gary Abray, at a hearing scheduled for next week.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence in public spaces and the need for improved conflict resolution and public safety measures in the community. The investigation is still ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.