A man arrested in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old woman at a DeKalb County bus stop last November has been indicted by a grand jury on multiple counts of murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.

Christopher Merritt of Lithonia was charged in the Nov. 23 killing of Marcaysia Dawkins, a 2014 Lithonia High School graduate. As Dawkins waited for a bus to go to work, Merritt attempted to steal her handbag, prosecutors said. During the struggle, Merritt fatally shot Dawkins twice with a 9mm handgun and fled the scene with the victim's belongings. Video surveillance footage from a nearby business captured the shooting.

Merritt, 18, was arrested later that week at an abandoned apartment in Lithonia.

“It’s truly a disturbing thought that Ms. Dawkins could have been anyone on any given day,” District Attorney Robert James said Friday in a statement. “The life of a vibrant, young and hardworking 19-year-old woman was taken away in broad daylight.”

No arraignment date has been scheduled in the case, according to James’ office.

In a separate case, Merritt was charged with the armed robbery of Farah Griffin last July 2. According to the indictment, Merritt “did unlawfully take a purse” from Griffin “by the use of a handgun.”

Police last year said he was also suspected in three sexual assault cases and had multiple charges against him including rape.

About the Author

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS