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COFFEE COUNTY, GA -- 2nd Update (2/21/12 1:10 PM)

From a press release issued by the Douglas Police Department:

The Douglas Police Department announced today that it has made three arrests in connection with the shooting death of 38 year old Marcus Collins. Collins: a local resident of Douglas was shot in the parking lot of the Round Tree Center on South Gaskin Avenue February 14, 2012.  Arrested were Jacob Cornett, Brandon Cole Williams, and Michael Berrian.

According to Criminal Investigators with the Douglas Police Department, the arrests stem from a seven day long investigation of the murder that involved several different agencies.  According to Commander Jerome Perkins, the investigation was a concerted effort by the Douglas Police Department, the GBI, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Juvenile Justice.  “Everyone pitched in on this case,” he stated, “and the mutual cooperation paid off in the eventual arrests of the offenders.”

Subsequent to the murder of Collins, Chief Gary Casteloes assigned six additional Officers from the Department to assist the Investigations Unit with the investigation.

Chief Gary Casteloes stated the entire investigation was a concerted effort by all of the Agencies involved to investigate this case. Chief Casteloes stated “ all the personnel involved worked tirelessly around the clock to solve this murder and  their dedication is a tribute to their professionalism and commitment to this community”. “All the Agencies (GBI, Coffee County Sheriff Department, and Juvenile Justice) pulled together and shared information in this investigation”.

Deputy Chief Brannen Pruette added his gratitude to the Officers who worked so diligently to solve this case, along with the elements of the GBI, Coffee County Sheriff Department, and Juvenile Justice.  “No Doubt it would have taken longer to solve the case had it not been for the mutual cooperation with the other agencies,” he stated, “but we would not have been able to solve it at all had it not been for concerned citizens coming forward with pertinent information regarding the case.”  “I want to thank them all”, he said.

Cornett, Williams, and Berrian, remain in custody and housed at the Coffee County Jail, specific charges for each individual will be released at a later time.


1st Update (2/21/12 10:50 AM)
Douglas Police Department Chief Gary Casteloes has confirmed that there have been three arrests made in the shooting death of Marcus Collins.

Stay connected to MySouthWestGA.com as this story develops and the FOX 31 Newscast at 10 P.M.


Original Story
Douglas police are investigating a homicide that happened Tuesday afternoon.

Police responded to a "person down" a little after 12:30.

They found 38-year-old Marcus Demond Collins on the ground at 801 South Gaskin Avenue with several gunshot wounds to his upper body.

Collins was transported to the Coffee Regional Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

Police have no known suspects at this time.