BARROW COUNTY - An Athens man has been identified as the victim of a Friday night murder in Statham...the third murder this year in Barrow County.
Authorities said Oscar Armando Lopez Melandez, 51, was found dead in a ditch off Booth Road in Statham just before midnight March 12.
An arrest was made in the case Saturday; Adalberto Sanchez, 53, of Colbert is being held without bond in the case. Authorities said it is believed at this time that the victim and the suspect were involved in a verbal fight inside the suspect's car before the murder occured.
The suspect has been charged with murder, possession of a weapon in the commission of a crime and aggravated assault. Sanchez was on parole from Florida for 1st degree murder at the time of the Barrow County slaying.
Barrow authorities say the investigation continues.
Monday
November 25th, 2024
4:31AM
