GROVETOWN, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re learning new details about a murder suspect who killed himself after a Columbia County police chase, and the woman he’s accused of killing.
The chase unfolded Friday evening on eastbound Interstate 20 and ended when the suspect in a Gwinnett County murder killed himself near Jimmie Dyess Parkway.
That all happened hours after a woman was gunned down in the parking lot of a Duluth shopping center in what authorities are calling a domestic-related homicide.
On Monday morning, the Columbia County Coroner’s Office identified the suspect as Caprice Hudson, 23, and the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the shooting victim as Elajia Whitley, 21.
Ga. murder suspect dead after crash on I-20 in Columbia County
Ga. murder suspect dead after crash on I-20 in Columbia County(WRDW)
Whitley had just left work at a blood donation center when she was killed, according to authorities.
Authorities say Hudson is believed to have killed her.
As Hudson passed through Columbia County after the murder, deputies learned he was a suspect and began a pursuit.
Deputies say they conducted a PIT maneuver on Hudson, who then committed suicide before the car ended up in a ditch, according to the sheriff’s office.
Hudson was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:21 p.m. Friday, and an autopsy has been scheduled.
FAMILY MOURNS WOMAN WHOSE KILLER TOOK HIS LIFE:
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Elajia Whitley, 21, had just left work at a Duluth blood donation center when she was killed, according to authorities.
Meanwhile, Whitley’s family is mourning her.
“Elajia is so many beautiful things that you can say about her,” said Rhoda Alexander, Elajia’s aunt. “Unfortunately, the person that took her life didn’t see that. He didn’t see the beauty in her. He didn’t see the love that her family surrounded her with. If he did, he was jealous of that.”
BioLife in Duluth confirmed she was an employee.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life of our colleague, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones who have been affected,” the company said in a statement.
This was the scene after Elajia Whitley, 23, was gunned down in a Duluth parking lot, apparently by her ex-boyfriend.(Contributed)
Whitley’s family said she had two jobs, a phlebotomy certificate, and had been going to school to become a surgery tech.
Her family said they knew she had been in a tough relationship.
They said she had even taken out protective orders against her partner.
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“We were aware of it. We tried to address it as much as we could. However, if a person has something in their mind that they’re going to do something terrible to somebody. They’re going to do it,” Alexander said.
Her family said her death is a message for others going through domestic violent relationships to speak up.
“Let your family members know. Let your friends know. Let your co-workers know. Make everybody aware of it around you so you can get help,” Alexander said. “Elajia, we love you and we will continue to celebrate your life, and we’ll see you soon. One day, we will see you.”
Gerald Johnson, Whitley’s older cousin, said:
“Anybody that goes through domestic violence, don’t give it a second chance. Don’t give it a second thought. Leave.”
The death hurts severely, said Lois Whitley, Elajia’s grandmother.
“But that’s not the end.” she said. “There’s more to this story about Elajia and other young people who are in these positions of domestic violence or in relationships and don’t know what love looks like.”
