The Killer Who Vlogged His Murder on Snapchat
On the surface, Talon Lowry appeared to be an average teenager in Gainesville, Georgia. But beneath that exterior lurked a volatile and dangerous individual, whose increasingly violent behavior culminated in a senseless murder, all captured on Snapchat. What started as a disturbing online trend turned into a real-life nightmare for the victims and their families, as Lowry's actions left a trail of trauma, confusion, and death. This is the story of how a seemingly ordinary young man became a murderer, vlogging his horrific acts for the world to see.
A Call for Help: The Start of a Crime Spree
On October 19, 2017, police were called to a Walmart in Gainesville, Georgia, after a woman named Danielle had been viciously attacked. As she stood in the store, a young man approached her from around a corner and, without warning, punched her in the face with immense force. Danielle, a nursing student, had no idea who her attacker was, nor any inkling as to why she was targeted.
"I don’t know anybody that would punch me," she told the responding officer. What made the situation even more unsettling was that the attacker didn’t flee. Instead, he held up his phone, recording the attack, as if it were a spectacle to be broadcast. Danielle’s confusion and fear only grew as she tried to process the unprovoked assault. The man’s cold demeanor and refusal to explain himself left her rattled.
The police began their investigation, searching Walmart’s CCTV footage for any leads. What they found confirmed Danielle’s account—a blond-haired young man matching her description filmed the entire incident. What officers didn’t realize at the time was that the footage wasn’t just stored on the attacker’s phone; it had been uploaded to Snapchat. The attacker was 19-year-old Talon Lowry, and this wasn’t the last time he’d turn his violent tendencies into social media content.
The "Knockout Game": An Online Trend Turned Dangerous
Danielle’s attack bore all the hallmarks of a disturbing online phenomenon known as the "Knockout Game." The goal of this trend was for participants to pick an unsuspecting victim, knock them out with a single punch, and post the footage online for notoriety. Danielle was not just an innocent bystander but the unwitting star of Lowry’s cruel attempt at viral fame.
Despite the trauma, Danielle survived her encounter with Lowry. However, two weeks later, another of Lowry’s victims wouldn’t be so lucky.
The Murder of Brian Ramirez
On the evening of November 3, 2017, 911 received a frantic call. A witness reported a shooting outside a Texaco gas station along State Route 11. The caller revealed that the shooting had been recorded by the gunman, who then posted it on Snapchat before fleeing the scene in a burgundy truck.
When officers arrived at the Texaco, they found 18-year-old Brian Ramirez, a gas station employee, lying on the ground, gasping for air. Brian had been sitting on a wooden bench during his break when Lowry, without any provocation, pulled up in his truck, filmed him, and pulled the trigger. The random and senseless act of violence was too much for Brian to survive, and despite being rushed to the hospital, he died from his injuries.
In the aftermath, the concrete outside the gas station was stained with Brian’s blood. His belongings—glasses, name tag, and wallet—were scattered across the scene. The sudden, shocking loss devastated his family, with his mother arriving at the gas station in a state of disbelief, only to be told her son had already been transported to the hospital. It was news no parent should ever have to hear.
The Hunt for Talon Lowry
As the investigation ramped up, law enforcement quickly pieced together the chilling details. Multiple calls reported Lowry’s Snapchat videos of the shooting, and it wasn’t long before they tracked him to his residence. Authorities prepared for a potentially dangerous confrontation. Lowry was armed and likely unstable, having already shown a propensity for violence. They were not only chasing down a murderer—they were also tracking someone who thrived on documenting his violent acts for the world to see.
Within hours of the shooting, Lowry was located at a home on Peppermint Drive. As officers moved in, they discovered that the situation could have been far worse. Lowry had an AK-47 in his possession, further escalating the potential danger he posed. Fortunately, he was taken into custody without incident, bringing an end to his brief but deadly rampage.
The Troubled Mind of a Killer
As police delved deeper into Lowry’s past and spoke to his friends, a picture emerged of a deeply troubled young man. One of Lowry’s acquaintances described him as “always kind of weird,” noting that his behavior had become increasingly erratic. According to friends, Lowry had few close relationships, often isolating himself. His friends revealed that he had been seeking attention online, posting bizarre and dangerous content on his Snapchat.
Lowry’s Snapchat history painted a grim portrait of a young man spiraling out of control. His videos started with minor deviant acts, like littering, and escalated to more violent behavior, including animal cruelty. One particularly disturbing video showed Lowry threatening cattle and even shooting one, an act that horrified those who knew him. The footage of his senseless attack on Danielle was only one chapter in a series of violent outbursts, culminating in the murder of Brian Ramirez.
The Interrogation and Trial
When authorities confronted Lowry with the overwhelming evidence—his presence at the gas station, his Snapchat videos, and witness testimony—he initially seemed detached. In an interview with police, Lowry barely acknowledged the gravity of his actions. Despite being shown video footage of the murder, he appeared indifferent, offering no explanation for why he shot Brian Ramirez. His chilling calmness throughout the interrogation added to the horror of the situation.
As the case moved to trial, Lowry’s defense attorneys argued that he was suffering from severe mental health issues, including schizophrenia. His legal team claimed that he wasn’t in control of his actions at the time of the shooting. However, the prosecution argued that Lowry’s decision to record and upload his crimes to Snapchat demonstrated a clear awareness of his actions and their consequences.
Ultimately, the evidence was too damning to ignore. On February 2, 2023, Talon Lowry was convicted of malice murder, felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
A Life Forever Changed
For Danielle, Brian’s family, and the community of Gainesville, the scars left by Lowry’s actions will never fully heal. Danielle still vividly recalls her attack in Walmart, describing Lowry’s expression as "total detachment," with eyes that seemed devoid of emotion or empathy. The senseless nature of his violence continues to haunt her. For Brian’s family, the loss of their son is an unbearable weight they will carry for the rest of their lives.
Lowry’s case serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of glorifying violence online. What may have started as a twisted attempt to gain attention turned into a horrific crime spree that left one young man dead and a community forever changed.
The Aftermath
Talon Lowry’s crimes will forever be etched in the memories of those who lived through his terrifying spree. As he spends the rest of his life behind bars, the victims of his violence are left to rebuild their lives, grappling with the senselessness of it all. For Brian Ramirez’s family, every day without him is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of a young man’s desire for online infamy.
In a world where social media has become a stage for attention-seeking behavior, the case of Talon Lowry stands as a stark warning about the potential dangers of mixing violence with the desire for digital recognition.
