The Gwinnett County Police Department Homicide Unit quickly arrested a suspect in a double shooting that resulted in the death of a Duluth woman and wounded a Duluth man Thursday night.
James Rashad Clay, 24, of Duluth has been charged in the shooting that occurred about 9:56 p.m. July 5 at the in unincorporated Duluth, according to Cpl. Edwin Ritter, public information officer for the department.
Investigators are searching for a motive, he said.
Gwinnett County Police Uniform officers responded to the hotel, located at 2350 Stephens Center Drive, regarding shots fired. Upon their arrival officers discovered two victims, each suffering from a single gunshot wound.
The woman victim, identified as Rashanda Patterson, 36, of Duluth, died on the scene from a gunshot wound to her head. Joseph Emener, 36, of Duluth suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, Ritter reported.
Officers on the scene quickly obtained a description of a suspect. Uniform officers located the armed suspect, who was later identified as Clay, walking through a nearby apartment complex. He was taken into custody without incident, Ritter said.
Homicide investigators developed probable cause to arrest Clay on charges of murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, Ritter reported. Clay was being held at the Gwinnett County Jail without bond.
This report was written from a media release emailed by the Gwinnett County Police Department.
