2nd suspect in mom’s killing arrested at dorm

Police have arrested the second of two men they believe was involved in a DeKalb County shootout that killed an innocent — and apparently pregnant — mother of three earlier this week.

Deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s fugitive squad arrested DeQuonist Marquez Lucas on Wednesday night at a college dormitory in Americus, sheriff’s spokeswoman Mikki Jones said. Americus is in southwest Georgia.

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Mikki K. Harris/mkharris@ajc.com

Eric Lamar Ferrell hobbled into Wednesday night’s hearing on crutches. A second man is also under arrest in the death of Quishanna Loynes.

DeKalb County

DeQuonist Marquez Lucas is being held in the DeKalb County Jail.

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As deputies took the 24-year-old Lucas into custody on a murder warrant, the other alleged gunman, Eric Lamar Ferrell, silently faced his charges before a judge.

Ferrell, 32, is charged with felony murder for his part in the death of Quishanna Loynes.

Ferrell and another man were arguing outside Loynes’ home Monday night when the two men began shooting at one another, witnesses told police.

A stray bullet penetrated the first-floor window of the living room of Loynes’ townhouse, hitting her in the back and killing her as she sat with her three young daughters, ages 11, 9 and 8.

Outside the DeKalb County Recorders Court center near Memorial Drive in Decatur, Ferrell struggled on crutches to get from an unmarked police car to the courtroom, his left foot in a cast and his right ankle bandaged.

The only words Ferrell spoke to Judge Robert Leitch were to acknowledge that he had his own attorney and wanted a preliminary hearing. It was scheduled for Nov. 17.

Ferrell at times bowed his head to hide his face from news cameras allowed into the courtroom.

Loynes was about 10 weeks pregnant, family members said. But authorities so far have not charged Ferrell with killing her unborn child. They are awaiting the results of an autopsy, DeKalb police spokeswoman Mekka Parish said.

Ferrell is being held in the DeKalb County Jail. A decision on whether he will be granted bond will be made later by a Superior Court judge.

Staff writer Mike Morris contributed to this article.