Sketch of suspect released in Oconee County RaceTrac clerk killing
OCONEE COUNTY, Ga. - The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office released a sketch Friday of a suspect connected to the deadly shooting of a RaceTrac gas station employee.
Elijah Wood, 23, was working the overnight shift at the RaceTrac located in the 7900 block of Macon Highway on Friday, March 19. A masked gunman walked into the store, pointed his handgun at Wood, and pulled the trigger around 1:40 a.m., investigators said.
Oconee County deputies initially released a video of the masked shooter. In the video, a man was seen wearing all black and armed with a handgun.
Wood's family is hoping the sketch will bring them closer to finding the person responsible for killing him.
"We really need someone to turn him in, a friend or family member that recognizes the photo. If not out of the goodness of your heart, there's $50,000 out there. Collect the money," said Tripp Lemonds, Wood's brother-in-law.
Lemonds said he didn't think it would take this long to get justice for Wood.
"We hate that it took five months for a sketch to come out. We don't understand," he said.
However, Lemonds said he and the family are turning their frustration and pain into action.
They've held a vigil, made a memorial outside of the RaceTrac, handed out flyers, and even put up a billboard asking for information.
They even started a Facebook page to keep his case fresh in people's minds.
He said the family is thankful for all the support they've received from the community.
"The people here, they've really stepped up. I grew up here. This has always been a good community. Everybody looks out for everybody and that's why I'm hoping somebody will come forward and tell on this person," he said
Through analysis, officials believe the suspect is between 5-feet-10-inches tall and 6-feet tall with an athletic build. The suspect in the sketch is also described as African American, Hispanic, Indian, or Biracial, in his early 30s, and is right-handed.
In July, officials increased their reward for information to help them solve the case to $50,000.
Anyone with information about this case should call the Oconee County Sheriff's Office at (706) 769-3945.
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