3rd suspect charged in fatal Acworth shooting

Katelyn Middlebrooks

Credit: WTVC-TV

Credit: WTVC-TV

Katelyn Middlebrooks

Authorities have charged a third suspect in the June shooting death of a 41-year-old man near a Cherokee County gas station.

Katelyn Middlebrooks was arrested Tuesday at a home in Walker County, the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force said in a Facebook post.

On Tuesday, August 4, 2020, Sheriff Mark Schrader of the Chattooga County Sheriff Office requested the assistance of the...

Posted by Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force on Wednesday, August 5, 2020

According to investigators, Middlebrooks had warrants charging her with felony murder and criminal attempt to commit armed robbery in the June 26 shooting death of JonDavid Johnson in Acworth.

Johnson collapsed inside the 76 gas station along Ga. 92 after getting shot at a nearby intersection about 11:15 p.m., AJC.com previously reported.

Johnson, who had been in the store playing video games shortly before being shot, was rushed to the hospital and later died of his injuries, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Capt. Jay Baker said. Investigators later determined the shooting occurred at the intersection of Ga. 92 and Wade Green Road.

The incident was likely drug-related because authorities discovered about 9 ounces of methamphetamine in Johnson’s hotel room, Baker said.

Two north Fulton men, 21-year-old Kevin Saucedo of Alpharetta and 19-year-old David Solano of Roswell, were arrested on murder charges last month after deputies identified them as suspects in the case and circulated their photos.

Kevin Saucedo (left), David Solano

Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

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Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Both are charged with malice murder, felony murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. They remain held without bond at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.

It’s unclear how Middlebrooks was linked to the fatal shooting, but Baker said Thursday morning that the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are likely.

Investigators said they expect to release additional details about the robbery and shooting at a later date.

In addition to capturing Middlebrooks, North Georgia drug agents arrested three people at the home on drug trafficking charges. Sierra D. Hood, Nicholas L. Walker and Billy E. Drennon, all of LaFayette, each face one count of trafficking methamphetamine, officials said.

A fourth man, Michael “Chance” Ellison, was taken into custody after authorities discovered he had arrest warrants charging him with probation violation and theft by taking a motor vehicle.

— Please return to AJC.com for updates.