Man faces murder charge after deadly shooting in SW Atlanta

Ricky Nelson Davis

Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office

Credit: Fulton County Sheriff's Office

Ricky Nelson Davis

A 53-year-old man who has been in and out of jails and prisons since the 1980s was arrested Monday night after a deadly shooting in southwest Atlanta, authorities said.

Ricky Nelson Davis of Atlanta faces a murder charge in the shooting of 51-year-old Sheldon Morris, Atlanta police said. Morris was found with a gunshot wound to his head about 7 p.m. Monday, AJC.com previously reported.

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Police found the man’s body in the 200 block of Thornton Street. While homicide detectives were still at the scene, Davis walked up and “identified himself as the suspect,” police said.

He was detained, questioned and then charged in the slaying, police said. Authorities have not released a motive.

Davis was booked into the Fulton County Jail, where he remains without bond.

In addition to his murder charge, he faces several probation violation charges stemming from a 2016 conviction in Fulton, according to court records.

He was found guilty of five felonies, including counts of aggravated assault, first-degree criminal damage to property and firearm-related charges. Davis was sentenced to a year in prison followed by five on probation, but the prison time was commuted to time served.

Ricky Nelson Davis has spent time in Georgia prisons dating to 1988.

Credit: Georgia Department of Corrections

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Credit: Georgia Department of Corrections

He’s spent time in Georgia prisons spanning back to 1988, according to Georgia Department of Corrections records. His prior convictions in Fulton include motor vehicle violations and possession of cocaine.

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