The suspect in a double murder killed himself Saturday as Richmond County authorities surrounded his hotel.
Tarrez Latrell Booker, 26, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead around 5 a.m. Saturday.
Booker is suspected of killing two women and injuring a third. The victims of the double murder on Hammond Avenue were identified as Raven Michelle Tolbert, 27, and Mercedes Nora Shanice Gibson, 27, both of the 2500 block of Hammond Avenue. A third female was shot and transported to the hospital and is expected to survive, said Sgt. William McCarty, public information officer,
“There were several children inside the residence when the incident occurred, but they were unharmed,” the sergeant said.
During the course of the investigation, a suspect was identified and a search conducted. Around 3 a.m. Saturday, investigators tracked the suspect to a room at Gordon Inn And Suites at 906 Molly Pond Road.
“As investigators and deputies arrived to the scene and approached the room, a single gunshot was heard coming from inside the room,” Sgt. McCarty said. “The SWAT Team responded to the scene and made entry to find the suspect deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
The Augusta community is mourning after two friends were killed. The victims were each shot at least one time and pronounced dead on the scene around 7:30 p.m., Coroner Mark Bowen said.
The sheriff’s office says deputies responded to the residence and located two victims who were dead on the scene from gunshot wounds.
Booker spent a decade in prison for an armed robbery he committed as a 16 year old. He was released last March and quickly found his way back into the criminal world. Three months later, the felon was found dealing drugs, carrying a gun, driving recklessly and being involved in gang activity. He reportedly was involved with the LOE gang, the same group being linked to the Arbrie Anthony murder.
He was released from jail within weeks, and was subsequently arrested in August an on order for arrest. Booker was later released in that case too.
