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Oconee murder suspect arrested after chase, shootout

By Claire Simms
Published  September 6, 2016 3:57pm EDT
News
FOX 5 Atlanta

OCONEE COUNTY, Ga. - Investigators arrested a murder suspect late Thursday night after a chase and shootout in North Carolina.

According to Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry, authorities arrested Jamar Harris, 32, near Gastonia, NC.  He faces multiple charges there. 

Harris is accused of shooting and killing a man in Watkinsville Saturday. 

Deputies responded to a report of a body found along Fambrough Cemetery Road Saturday night.  The victim did not have any identification, so investigators circulated a sketch of the man on social media in the hopes someone would recognize him.

Deputies got the break they needed Thursday morning, said Sheriff Berry.  They positively identified the victim as Rendell Joman Cunningham. 

That information then lead them to Harris and investigators secured a warrant for his arrest late Thursday.  According to the warrant, Harris shot Cunningham four times Saturday sometime between 6:00 and 9:30 p.m. 

Authorities caught up with Harris around 11:00 Thursday night. 

"There was a car chase where gunfire was exchanged," explained Sheriff Berry. "Harris crashed and he is now in custody." 

Sheriff Berry said it will likely be some time before Harris is extradited to Oconee County, but he is determined to get justice for Cunningham's family. 

"I can't fix it.  There's nothing I can do to fix this for them--I would if I could.  What I can do is keep my promise to them that we'll do our best to put him in prison for the murder of their son," Sheriff Berry said.  

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