Authorities Wednesday arrested a man wanted for the December shooting death of a northwest Atlanta nightclub owner and for heading an ATM smash-and-grab theft ring.
Johnathan Jamal Kirkland, 23, is accused of fatally shooting Amin Bouchelaghem at Dejá Vu Sports Bar and Lounge on the night of Dec. 30. Two other men were injured in the incident.
“We’re glad we were able to get this dangerous individual off the streets,” Atlanta police Lt. Terry Joyner said.
Police responding to tips were able to track Kirkland to a southeast Atlanta home early Wednesday, police said.
A SWAT team of officers from the Atlanta police fugitive unit, FBI and U.S. Marshals Service descended on the home in the 1200 block of Redford Drive to take Kirkland into custody, Joyner said.
“He had said that he would shoot to kill any police that tried to arrest him,” Joyner said. “He was arrested without incident.”
Police said a group of men were at Dejá Vu Sports Bar and Lounge for a business meeting on Dec. 30 when two men approached with guns drawn. The gunmen fired several shots, then fled the scene, police said. Last month, authorities arrested Brandon Kirkland, Johnathan Kirkland's 22-year-old brother, in connection with the incident.
Johnathan Kirkland has been charged with murder, aggravated assault, robbery, and possession of gun during the commission of a felony, police said. He and Brandon Kirkland, who faces a murder charge, are in the Fulton County Jail.
Johnathan Kirkland has also been linked to several ATM thefts, police said Wednesday.
“We believe he is the ring leader of a lot of ATM thefts,” Joyner said.
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