Update 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20:
A suspect in a Gainesville murder case was arrested early Saturday morning in DeKalb County.
A social media post from the Gainesville Police Department said Corey Maurice Rucker, age 47, was arrested at around 4:00 a.m. Saturday without incident at a motel. Rucker was wanted after the reported shooting death of a man Friday afternoon at the Motel 6 location on Monroe Drive in Gainesville.
The victim in the case has been identified as Destyn Rashad Alexander, age 34 of Braselton.
Rucker is being held in the Hall County Jail without bond. He faces a list of charges including murder, aggravated assault and theft by taking of more than $1,500.
“We would like to thank our local, state, and federal partners who worked tirelessly through the night to apprehend this violent suspect," Gaineville Police Chief Jay Parrish said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr. Alexander, and it is our hope that this arrest will help bring them a sense of closure as they mourn the loss of their loved one.”
The Hall County Sheriff's Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the DeKalb County Police Department assisted Gainesville police in the case.
Original story posted Friday evening, Jan. 19:
A shooting murder occurred Friday afternoon at the Motel 6 location on Monroe Drive in Gainesville, as authorities now search for the suspect.
Just before 2:30 p.m. Friday police responded to reports of a person shot. The victim, whose name has not been provided by officials, was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the chest. He later succumbed to his injuries.
Corey Maurice Rucker, 47, of Gainesville, was found to be the party that allegedly shot the victim.
Warrants have been issued for felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and theft by taking a motor vehicle, according to GPD.
Rucker reportedly fled the scene before police arrived and is said to be driving the victim’s vehicle. It is a burgundy Nissan Murano with a Mississippi license plate.
Anyone with information about the case or of Rucker’s whereabouts has been asked to contact authorities by calling (770) 535-5873 or submit a tip online by clicking here.
