22-year-old accused of killing man in Smyrna before shooting himself in face

Elias R. Bustamente

Credit: Cobb County Sheriff's Office

Credit: Cobb County Sheriff's Office

Elias R. Bustamente

A Marietta man faces a murder charge after authorities said he fatally shot a man in Smyrna and attempted to kill himself.

Elias R. Bustamente, 22, shot and killed Michael Arreola the morning of July 5 before shooting himself in the temple, according to a Smyrna police arrest warrant. He survived the incident and was booked into jail three days later on multiple felony charges, authorities said.

The shooting took place about 3 a.m. at a home off Hawthorne Circle, the warrant said. Bustamente and Arreola reportedly got into an argument, which is when the suspect is accused of pulling out a .40 caliber Glock 23.

The victim pleaded with Bustamente to put the gun down, but the man fired three shots, according to his warrant. Arreola was struck twice in the chest and once above his right knee.

A woman was sitting behind Arreola during the shooting, authorities said. She told investigators that after he was killed, Bustamente turned the gun on himself.

Police charged the 22-year-old with four felonies, including one count of murder and two counts of aggravated assault, Cobb County jail records show. Last Wednesday, he was medically cleared to leave the hospital and booked into jail.

He remains in custody without bond.

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Credit: AJC