One day after the first homicide since the police force formed one year ago, Brookhaven police announced the arrest of an 18-year-old man who lived in the same apartment complex as the victim.
Juan Carlos Ramirez was charged with murder, Brookhaven police Maj. Brandon Gurley said Friday in an emailed statement. Justin Acevedo, 23, was shot about noon Thursday at the Parke Towne North Apartments on North Cliff Valley Way, police said.
When officers arrived at the scene, Acevedo was found shot in the chest. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators determined Ramirez and Acevedo were involved in a verbal confrontation when the shooting occurred, Gurley said. Officers quickly secured Parke Towne North Apartments. Witnesses reported seeing a group of people, including the shooter, running from that location, Gurley said.
In addition to murder, Ramirez was charged with two other felonies: possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Three other people, all from Brookhaven, were arrested on minor charges. All were taken to the DeKalb County Jail.
Ileanna Martinez, 21, was charged with tampering with evidence, giving a false name and date of birth, and possession of marijuana less than one ounce. The latter charges are misdemeanors. Petra Pineda Cortez, 18, and Francisco Munoz, 22, were each arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and obstruction of law enforcement.
Public safety and increased police patrols were some of the driving factors in the formation of the 12-square mile city of Brookhaven, which was part of unincorporated DeKalb County until Dec. 17, 2012. Brookhaven police launched patrols on July 31, 2013, according to the city website.
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