The man accused of shooting a 16-year-old and leaving him in the street to die surrendered Thursday night, the Rockmart police chief told the AJC.
Jermaine Deon Ware, 34, of Cedartown, faces felony murder and aggravated assault charges in the death, Chief Keith Sorrells said. Ware is accused of killing Rodney Arzez Mitchell Jr. on New Year's Day in the northwest Georgia town. Police have not identified a motive in the shooting.
Ware called a pastor, who then called Chief Henry King of the neighboring Cedartown police department, Sorrells said.
"He called and said Mr. Ware wanted to turn himself in," Sorrells said.
King then called Sorrells, who said he suggested the pastor bring Ware to the parking lot of the Rockmart Ingle's on U.S. 278.
"We just took off down there, and four or five minutes later, he was there," Sorrells said. "He was very cooperative."
Ware was arrested without incident and taken to the Polk County jail, Sorrells said.
"As soon as I got him in the car, I asked him would he talk to us," Sorrells said.
Ware said he wanted to have an attorney present before speaking to officers. A first court appearance is expected Friday.
It is unclear how Ware and Mitchell knew each other, but officers believe Mitchell attended a New Year's Eve Party on the same street where Mitchell was found shot.
A 911 caller reported hearing gunshots around 9 a.m. near Gordon and Church streets in Rockmart. When officers arrived, they found Mitchell in the street. He was transported to Floyd Medical Center in Rome, where he died.
Located in Polk County, Rockmart is about 50 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.
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