After strangling his live-in girlfriend, a Marietta man then said he was going to kill her, the woman’s sister told police. Then, he did it, firing a fatal shot into the woman’s chest, Marietta police said Thursday.
David Junior Reid was arrested Wednesday night and charged with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and marijuana possession, Cobb County jail records showed. Reid is accused of killing Latasha Bell inside the couple’s Franklin Road apartment as her sister looked on, according to police.
What began as a physical dispute between the couple took a deadly turn when Reid allegedly grabbed a 9 mm handgun, an arrest warrant obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution stated.
“With gun raised, said accused said, ‘You’re going to die,’ ‘I’m going to kill you,’ and ‘I’m about to take your life,’” the warrant stated.
Before Bell could move, Reid allegedly fired one shot, hitting her in the chest, according to police. Bell was transported to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, but did not survive.
Reid allegedly threatened to shoot Bell’s sister, but did not. He was still in the apartment when police arrived.
A friend of Bell’s told Channel 2 Action News the couple’s relationship was strained, but Bell thought she could handle the problems.
“It has hit me real hard because I’ve known her for so long, and just to see her gone now, it hurts real bad,” Cynthia Reed said.
Reid was being held Thursday night without bond.
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