An East Point man, who was believed to be in Gainesville looking for a job and a place to live, has been arrested in Thursday night's murder of businessman Jack Hough.
Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish announced the arrest of DeMarvin Bennett, 24, at an 11 a.m. press conference at the Gainesville Public Safety Complex.
"Working with many law enforcement partners, we were able to locate Bennett in East Point, Ga. around 2 a.m. last night [Sunday] where he was arrested without incident," Parrish said. "He is currently in the Hall County Jail. He is cooperating with the investigation."
Parrish said investigators have recovered the weapon that was used to kill Hough just before 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7. He said Hough was shot as he sat in his vehicle outside the CVS Pharmacy on Park Hill Drive. Hough's wife was inside the store when the shooting occurred.
"It was a warm Thursday evening for February. The windows were rolled down on the car, and he was approached by the suspect in what we still believe to be an armed robbery," Parrish said. "While Mr. Hough was approached, he resisted the suspect's attempt and a struggle ensued."
Parrish said during the struggle, Bennett shot Hough two times in the torso as the victim was sitting in his car.
After the shooting, Bennett and his girlfriend fled back to the metro Atlanta area. Parrish did not name the girlfriend. He said she is not believed to have been involved in the murder.
Parrish said Bennett has a criminal history, but the suspect had never been arrested in Hall County. He was unsure what crimes Bennett had committed in the past.
Parrish said he had spoken with the victim's family to let them know an arrest had been made. He said they expressed relief.
"It takes that cloud off of them as they begin their healing process," Parrish said. "I'm happy that we're able to give them that, but in crimes like this there's no winners - there's only losers. Mrs. Hough lost a wonderful husband, this community lost a wonderful man, so I think they were relieved, but I don't think they can be happy at this time."
Bennett is being held without bond on the murder charges. Other charges are likely, according to authorities. Bennett will have his first court appearance later in the week.
Parrish said more than 100 officials had worked since Thursday night to located a suspect in the case.
He recognized the following individuals and agencies during the press conference:
- Sheriff Gerald Couch and the Hall County Sheriff's Office
- Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh
- The Georgia Bureau of Investigation
- The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms
- U.S. Marshal's Office Georgia Department of Community Supervision
- Georgia Department of Corrections
- Sheriff Victor Hill and the Clayton County Sheriff's Office
- East Point Police Department
- Sheriff Ron Freeman and the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office
- Georgia State Patrol and Aviation
- Cherokee County District Attorney's Office
Go to AccessWDUN's Facebook page to see a video from Sunday morning's press conference.
