Police have arrested a man allegedly behind an East Atlanta Village burglary turned killing that has rocked the community.
The Atlanta Police Fugitive Unit arrested Jeffries Anderson, 36, on a murder charge in the death of Alex Newton, 30, police announced Wednesday morning.
The news comes with a sigh of relief for the victim's family.
"We’re just glad we can move into this next phase of grieving," mother Beth Newton told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s not going to change the outcome of Alex not coming back. It is going to help us bring some closure.”
Alex Newton was killed at lunchtime on Oct. 31 after walking in on an intruder in his apartment at the Alexan EAV complex.
Anderson was arrested at his home off White Castle Way in Decatur. He was connected to the crime by DNA and through Crime Stoppers tips, police said.
Police said he is no stranger to crime and may be responsible for other burglaries in the area. Also, he had served 12 years in prison for manslaughter.
Investigators don't believe Anderson was after anything in particular at Newton's apartment.
Police released surveillance footage of the suspect shortly after the East Atlanta Village shooting, but the suspect's identity was a mystery for weeks.
While the search was on, Beth Newton prayed.
Not for vengeance. Just consequences.
This week has been hard for the family, with Thanksgiving approaching.
It got a bit better when the family got word Wednesday night that Anderson had been arrested. The mother learned from her son, Trey, who'd been working closely with authorities and created an online fundraiser to increase the reward in the case.
With a loved one gone, the family will still get together and give thanks for what they can Thursday.
We’ll be missing Alex’s presence," the mother said. "He was forever a great addition because he always made us laugh and enjoy everything."
But they have to go on.
"That’s what Alex would want. That’s what Alex would want."
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