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Suspect in Lilburn driveway killing out of jail

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Jan 31, 2013

The Gwinnett County man charged with murder for allegedly shooting and killing a 22-year-old was released from jail Wednesday afternoon.

Phillip Walker Sailors, 69, of Lilburn, was released after posting $11,200 bond, according to Gwinnett County jail records. Sailors was arrested Sunday afternoon and charged with murder in the death of Rodrigo Diaz of Duluth.

Friends of Diaz said he pulled into the driveway of a Hillcrest Drive home Saturday night, believing it was a friend’s home. Sailors allegedly came out of the home with a gun and fired a shot that struck Diaz in the head. Diaz died early Sunday following surgery at Gwinnett Medical Center.

Sailors believed someone was attempting to break into his house and feared for his life, his attorney has said. Sailors, a Vietnam veteran and avid church volunteer, has no prior criminal history.

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Alexis Stevens is a member of the Crime and Public Safety team.

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