Police say the suspect was connected to the victim through his girlfriend.
KENNESAW, GA — A Kennesaw man is recovering after police said a gunman posing as a delivery driver came to his home, used a box to hide his face and shot him four times when he opened the door.
The shooting drew new attention this week after police said Jacob Kevinsson, identified as the ex of the victim’s girlfriend, was in custody and connected to the attack. The victim, John Rice, survived the shooting, according to police. Investigators said they used help from neighbors and security cameras as they worked to identify the person who came to the home disguised as a delivery worker.
Police said the gunman approached Rice’s door holding a box in front of his face, a move that made him appear to be making a delivery. When Rice opened the door, the man fired through the box, striking Rice four times, police said. Kennesaw Police Officer David Buchanan said investigators began by looking at people closest to the victim. “We always look at the people closest to the victim,” Buchanan said. Police later said Kevinsson, the former boyfriend of Rice’s girlfriend, was in custody in connection with the case.
Authorities have not publicly released a full timeline of the shooting, including the exact date and time the gunman arrived at the home. They also have not said whether Rice and the suspect exchanged words before the shots were fired. Police described the attack as targeted enough to lead detectives toward people with personal ties to Rice. The available account did not state whether a delivery service vehicle was used, whether the box contained anything or whether the gun was recovered. Investigators said neighborhood security cameras played an important role in the case, along with information from residents near the home.
The shooting happened in a residential area of Kennesaw, a Cobb County city northwest of Atlanta where neighbors described the street as quiet. Courtney Burdett, who recently moved a few doors down from Rice, said the attack shook her sense of the neighborhood. “Nothing ever happens here, it’s a quiet street,” Burdett said. She said she moved in with her 8-month-old baby after the shooting and was troubled by the way the gunman appeared to use a common delivery routine to get close to the front door.
Police have not publicly detailed the specific charges Kevinsson faces, and the available account did not list a first court appearance, bond decision or indictment date. It also was not clear whether additional arrests were expected. The case remains in the hands of Kennesaw police and court authorities in Cobb County. Investigators are expected to rely on witness statements, camera video and any physical evidence from the scene as the case moves through the legal process. Rice’s medical condition was described only as recovering.
Buchanan said cameras from the neighborhood helped police piece together what happened and have become vital in solving crimes. The case also left nearby residents focused on the unusual disguise. Burdett said the idea that someone could walk up with a box and appear trustworthy as a delivery worker was concerning. She said the shooting would make her think twice before answering the door for someone she did not know. Police did not say whether the shooter wore a uniform or used any markings tied to a real delivery company.
The case stood Thursday with Rice recovering and Kevinsson in custody. Police have not announced a full charging summary or the next scheduled court date, leaving those details as the next public milestone in the investigation.
Author note: Last updated June 11, 2026.