Clayton News Daily

By Daniel Silliman

dsilliman@news-daily.com

The "person of interest" in the Oct. 14 shooting-death of Edward Mills was arrested Monday night by Clayton County Police detectives.

The 16-year-old is being charged with murder, armed robbery and the possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony. The teen allegedly shot Mills, also known as "Booman," at about 2 p.m., in the breezeway of building M, at Williamsburg South Apartments, 240 Flint River Road.

Police believe the motive was robbery, and the shooting may have been drug-related.

Mills was shot three of four times. Police said, in reports, they found him lying face-down in the breezeway in a pool of blood. He was rushed to Southern Regional Medical Center, where he died.

Witnesses said Mills, of Jonesboro, had been seen with an unknown man, who was then seen running from the scene, and jumping a fence behind 198 Drury Road.

Searching the area, officers reported that they found a small plastic bag of marijuana. The bag, on the ground between two buildings, was decorated with dollar signs.

The alleged gunman was described as a tall, light-skinned, black male, wearing a black scarf over blonde hair, and wearing blue jeans and a green or blue jacket. Clayton County Police released a sketch of the suspect, based on witness accounts, and Detective Tom Martin followed leads from teens in the Williamsburg Apartments and the Flint River Road area.

The area has been identified by police as one of the most crime-impacted areas in the county, with a large amount of drug dealing, gangs and gang violence, as well as armed robberies, burglaries and car thefts.

Mills' great aunt, Ruby Johnson, said the 17-year-old was living with her and she was not aware that he was in any type of trouble. He was applying for jobs and, a month ago, Johnson gave him a General Equivalency Diploma test book.

"His dream and his goal was to be a veterinarian," Johnson said.

Prosecutors have not yet decided whether they will charge the 16-year-old suspect as an adult.