5 arrested, 2 at large in murder at Villa Rica motel

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Police have charged seven men in connection with a double shooting at a hotel Tuesday night that left one man dead.

It happened a little after 7 p.m. at the FairBridge Inn Express Hotel along Highway 61 just north of Interstate 20. Villa Rica Police said 28-year-old Brian Cook was found lying on a second-floor landing and several people running from the building.

Police believe Cook, who was accompanied to room 205 of the hotel by 29-year-old Ramon Higgs, where a fight broke out. Surveillance video, according to investigators, can be seen entering the room and moments later running out with several people chasing him. Police said he was grabbed by the suspects and shot. Cook was pronounced dead at the scene.

Higgs was also shot but was able to run from the hotel. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and later released. Police said they have since charged him with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of marijuana.

Police said five of the seven people in the room have been arrested on murder charges and two counts of aggravated assault.

Khaaliq Sims, 24, Isiah Roberts, 20, Alvon Darby, 20, and Kyron Doby, 23, all from Villa Rica, were booked into the Carroll County Jail. Roberts was also charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Police identified Briahious McPherson and Ricardo Joiner, both 19 and from Villa Rica, as being the other two men in the room. Warrants have been issued for their arrest.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of McPherson or Joiner is asked to call the police.