A wallet.

DeKalb County police believe a 23-year-old man's missing billfold led to his death after claiming it was stolen by another man, who responded by shooting him.

James Jones was shot on Sept. 1 in South DeKalb, though details weren’t released until this week after Lavante Gray’s arrest in Ohio.

Police responded to 3612 Salem Glen Road, off Salem Road, just before 7 p.m. and found Jones on the ground near two shell casings.

Detectives determined Jones had accused Gray, 24, of stealing his wallet, prompting Gray to shoot the accuser, said Lt. Lonzy Robertson.

Did Gray also steal the wallet?

“No,” Robertson said, “we have pretty good evidence that Gray didn’t steal the wallet.”

Gray, whose alleged connection to the victim isn’t clear, wasn’t there when police arrived. U.S. Marshals later figured out he was in Ohio.

He was arrested at a home in Middletown on Tuesday and is awaiting extradition to DeKalb, according to WHIO-TV.

Like DeKalb County News Now on Facebook | Follow on Twitter

In other news: 

The section includes the CDC, Emory University and Emory Hospital.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Sonny Bharadia, who spent more than two decades behind bars for a 2001 crime he did not commit, is suing the small town of Thunderbolt and the two law enforcement officers who handled his case. (Courtesy of Georgia Innocence Project)

Credit: Georgia Innocence Project

Featured

Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff