Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Inmate charged with killing Georgia Lottery winner recaptured

Earnest Anthony Holcomb is charged with murder and other offenses in connection with the fatal shooting of a Georgia Lottery winner in January 2016. (Credit: Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office)
Earnest Anthony Holcomb is charged with murder and other offenses in connection with the fatal shooting of a Georgia Lottery winner in January 2016. (Credit: Ben Hill County Sheriff’s Office)
By Steve Burns
June 10, 2016

The man who is charged with murdering a Georgia Lottery winner was recaptured Thursday, according to a media report.

Ben Hill County Sheriff Bobby McLemore told Albany, Ga., television station WALB that Earnest Anthony Holcomb, 28, was apprehended under a house in Ocilla. Holcomb had gotten away from the Ben Hill County jail Wednesday.

Authorities received a tip that led them to Holcomb, although they won’t release details, the Associated Press reported.

Holcomb and six other people have been charged with malice murder and other offenses in connection with the January shooting death of Craigory Burch of Fitzgerald, who won $434,000 in a Fantasy Five jackpot. Felony escape charges will be added for Holcomb, the AP reported.

About the Author

Steve Burns
More Stories

Keep Reading

Carden Wyckoff speaks to media members during a press conference outside Five Points station on Thursday, June 25, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Accessibility advocate appointed to fill vacant Atlanta City Council seat

Atlanta’s City Council has selected Carden Wyckoff to temporarily replace Amir Farokhi in District 2.

Meet the candidates challenging Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens

Atlanta’s mayors have a long history of winning a second term in office, but three political newcomers decided to launch bids despite tall odds.

Investigator: Ex-APD officer raped woman on duty, returned when she called 911

Fulton County Magistrate Judge Todd Ashley ruled there was enough evidence for the case to proceed against former officer Muhammad Muhammad.

The Latest

Bullet holes were still visible Monday in windows at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters. Employees returned to the office about five weeks after a gunman fired rounds that struck several buildings. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

As CDC employees return to office, trauma and bullet holes remain

‘The neighborhood didn’t do it’: Mom wants justice for Edgewood shooting victim

Investigator: Ex-APD officer raped woman on duty, returned when she called 911

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

A Braves fan took a ball to the face. The team may be liable, judges say.

The Atlanta Braves and former right fielder Jorge Soler face a lawsuit by a fan hit in the eye with a ball during a World Series game at Truist Park in 2021.

Joro spiders multiply across Georgia, spinning their pesky webs

The invasive species has multiplied rapidly in Atlanta in the last three years, research shows.

Ford settles billion-dollar Georgia lawsuits over fatal wrecks

Ford Motor Co. has settled two Georgia lawsuits that elicited record-setting jury verdicts of $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion, ending more than a decade of litigation.