Authorities have captured a Georgia man in the murder of a fellow Georgian who was found in a ditch last month in rural Aiken County, authorities said.
Barry Junior Bellinger, 37, of Lithonia, Ga., was captured Friday morning in his hometown and held for charges of killing 24-year-old Jarvon Stapleton of Stonecrest, Ga.
The victim was found around lunchtime on March 14 lying on the side of Kitchings Road in Williston near Old Barnwell Road. Stapleton had been shot multiple times and died later at an area hospital.
An investigation led to the identity of Bellinger as a suspect since they both have recent ties to the Atlanta area. Bellinger also has ties to the Aiken County, and a Facebook page under the name “Alemeen Mumin” says he has lived in Williston.
Bellinger was arrested Friday morning at an apartment complex on Athena Lane in Lithonia. He was arrested by the DeKalb County Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. Bellinger was taken to the DeKalb County Jail where he was booked on unrelated charges. He faces extradition to South Carolina, where Aiken County has warrants for murder, weapon possession, kidnapping and carjacking.
In a sheriff’s press release, the victim’s family was quoted as saying, “We express our deepest gratitude and are truly thankful to all the law enforcement officers and community members that help bring this man to justice.”
Williston Police Department, Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office, DeKalb County Police Department, Aiken County Coroner’s Office, U.S. Marshals Service and various community members assisted with this investigation. Bellinger will be held in the DeKalb County Jail pending the legal process for his current charges. He is expected to be extradited to Aiken County after that process is complete.
