Lilburn police have arrested the man they believe killed a local Wal-Mart security guard Sunday night, and alluded Wednesday to evidence that  they're "confident" will tie him to the crime.

What they don't know -- and may not ever know -- is why a 25-year-old father of three lost his life over what could've been a simple shoplifiting arrest.

"Somebody who does something this extreme for such a relatively minor crime, you would think maybe they’re facing a bunch of jail time because they’ve got a long criminal history," Lilburn police Capt. Thom Bardugon said. "But that’s not the case here. We’re really not quite sure why."

Boaz Anthony Fordyce, 37, was booked in the Gwinnett County jail at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, about four-and-a-half hours after being apprehended at a DeKalb County business and less than 48 hours after allegedly shooting Jaseramie Dion "JD" Ferguson near the front entrance of the Wal-Mart store at 1400 Lawrenceville Highway. Ferguson and another employee had tried to stop Fordyce from getting away with three flat-screen TVs he didn't pay for, police have said.

Bardugon declined to say if the alleged murder weapon was recovered. The shoplifted TVs were left at the scene, he said.

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Helen Gilbert places flowers on her brother Eurie Martin’s grave at Camp Spring Baptist Church in Sandersville. Her brother died eight years ago. Three former Washington County deputies are accused of causing his death and are set to stand trial Monday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez