The man accused of stabbing to death a 14-year-old in her Decatur apartment was the girl’s uncle, police said Tuesday.

Shykia Ward-Reese, who attended Renfroe Middle School, and her mother’s boyfriend, Manuel De Jesus Franco, were both killed Sunday morning, according to police. Franco was 35.

On Monday, investigators located the suspect, Royce Alex Stewart, and the car he allegedly stole from the Trinity Walk apartments after the stabbings. He was found in southeast DeKalb County.

The shooting happened early Tuesday morning.

Stewart and the slain teenager’s mother are siblings, police said Tuesday.

Investigators have not released details about a possible motive.

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Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat speaks during a press interview at the district attorney’s office in Atlanta on Friday, July 12, 2024. Public safety officials presented findings from a report on repeat offenders. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com