LAGRANGE, Ga. — A suspect accused of murdering a man he was trying to rob has turned himself in less than a month after the crime.
LaGrange police said Omare Atcherson now faces charges of murder, aggravated assault, criminal attempt armed robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes and participation in criminal street gang activity.
All those counts stem from a night in early February when police believe Atcherson tried to rob his victim, James Jake Ponder. At first, investigators believed Ponder and an acquaintance were giving the other men a ride.
The investigation later revealed that Ponder had previously communicated with the two people in order to arrange the purchase of a firearm. He drove to Troup Street to meet them to make the purchase, but the suspects attempted to rob him and shot Ponder instead.
Ponder's friend rushed him to WellStar West Georgia Medical Center where the victim eventually died.
The investigation led police to identify Atcherson and another man, Travis McFarland, as suspects in the crime. McFarland was taken into custody previously.
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