Monday's arrest was the fifth this year for the 20-year-old Gwinnett County man accused of shooting a tax office employee in the head, police told the AJC Tuesday.
Jeremy Williams, of Lawrenceville, faces charges of aggravated assault, armed robbery and two drug charges, all felonies, following his most recent arrest near Norcross, jail records show.
After being shot in the head during the apparent robbery Monday afternoon, an employee at the tax office chased the suspect, later identified as Williams, while yelling for help, police and witnesses said.
"He was saying, ‘Y'all, get me some help,' " said Phil Miller, who lives in a home nearby on Singleton Road. "He was conscious."
The victim, Damien Ekezie, 56, was in critical condition after being transported to a local hospital, but was able to speak to officers at the scene, Cpl. Jake Smith with Gwinnett County police said. And, thanks in part to the victim and other witnesses, Williams, was in custody shortly after the shooting, Smith said.
Ekezie is expected to survive his injuries, police said Tuesday.
Investigators believe robbery was the motive behind the shooting and don't believe Williams was a former employee or customer, Smith said.
After allegedly shooting Ekezie inside the business, located in the 5600 block of Singleton Road, Williams ran out of the building, Smith said. The victim chased Williams outside the building, but Williams was able to get away, according to police.
Several witnesses reported the suspect's description to police, who were able to locate Williams a short distance away from the business, Smith said.
It wasn't immediately known if Williams, took anything from the business, Smith said.
"I'm just glad they got him," Miller said.
Miller told the AJC he didn't hear a gunshot, but saw Ekezie trying to chase the alleged gunman outside. One of his neighbors called the police.
--Dispatch editor Angel K. Brooks contributed to this report.
About the Author
