LILBURN, GA (WXIA) – Police arrested 37-year-old Boaz Anthony Fordyce Tuesday evening for the murder of J.D. Ferguson, the 25-year-old loss prevention officer killed over the weekend at a Walmart store on Lawrenceville Highway.
Police said Fordyce was seen leaving the location on Sunday with three flat screen televisions without paying for them. Ferguson and another employee tried to detain him. During a struggle, they said Fordyce produced a pistol and fired at least one round striking Ferguson before fleeing the store.
Lilburn Police said they were able to identify Fordyce through multiple tips which, along with further investigation, led to the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of Fordyce.
"We received well over 100 phone calls, some emails, some crime stoppers," said a police spokesperson.
Ferguson's family had pleaded with the public to help find his killer. On Tuesday, less than 48 hours after the murder, investigators were able to locate Fordyce in unincorporated Doraville. With the help of DeKalb County Police, they were able to take Fordyce into custody without incident. Ferguson's family told 11Alive's Kaitlyn Ross that they were relieved.
Meanwhile, police say they're still trying to come up with a motive.
"He is someone we would not have expected to have committed this crime," police say. "He does not have a criminal history to speak of."
Fordyce has been charged with one count of felony murder, one count of aggravated assault and one count of felony theft by shoplifting. He was taken to the Gwinnett County Detention Center.
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