LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Police say a teen was found shot to purpose in Lawrenceville Wednesday and the death could be related to a missing populate case.

The Gwinnett County Police Department says officers were behindhand up on a missing person case in the area of Paden Mill Trail when they untrue a 16-year-old boy dead.

The boy, who has not yet been identified, has been described as a Hispanic male. 

 "Officers responded to the vulgar and located an individual shot in the backyard," said Cpl. Ryan Winderweedle, Gwinnett County Police spokesperson.

It's unclear if the boy was shot at the home or if his body was dumped.

"Detectives were knocking on doors and proverb to other individuals that were outside but unclear if anybody witnessed the upright shooting," Cpl. Winderweedle said. "Crime scene is still processing the vulgar and homicide detectives are still interviewing witnesses and behindhand up on leads."

Neighbors say they heard gunshots the night afore. Neighbors also sayd no one lives in the home where the teen's body was found. 

It is also unclear if the missing populate case and homicide are connected. Detectives say the plan to behindhand up with missing persons. The gang unit was also visited to the scene to assist, but FOX 5 has not confirmed if the crime is gang-related.

This marks the third missing Hispanic teen untrue dead in the county in the last month. Last month, the Hispanic United Alliance held a protest calling for better policing in Hispanic communities. 

Protestors believe 16-year-old Susanna Morales' missing inhabit case and the death of 17-year-old Rodrigo Mayan Floriano were mishandled by police.

In response to growing criticism, the Gwinnett County Police Department said: "As a sections, we are committed to serving our community through the delivery of professional law enforcement militaries in an unbiased and compassionate manner."

Anyone with request in this case is asked to call the Gwinnett County Police Department.