Rome Police arrest suspect charged in woman's death

ROME, Ga. - Rome Police have arrested the man charged in the murder of a mother of five who was brutally killed inside her apartment.

Rome Police say Crystal Vega was shot in the head in her apartment in front of two of her children.

Nakotah Smith, who police said was Vega's boyfriend, was arrested on Saturday. 

Flowers, balloons, and candles were left outside the apartment Monday afternoon. Numerous friends stopped by to leave notes on the door.

According to Rome Police, Vega was with Smith and her 1- and 3-year-old children inside the apartment Friday when she was shot. Investigators say Smith ran to the neighbors next door and told them to take her to the hospital. Police say he then disappeared. 

"We haven't seen Smith. We would like to talk to him. He's on the Run," said Rome Police Detective Corey Bowers on June 18.  

As friends gathered together to plan a fundraiser and candlelight ceremony for Vega's children, they too questioned where Smith was.

"They were together constantly. She loved him. She loved him so much she would put him before anything else," close friend, Shastoni Burge.

"Where are you? That's the big question where are you? If you loved her why aren't you here? Why aren't you with the children?" said close friend, Valerie Byars.

Although grieving family members no longer have to wonder where Smith is, they said someone broke into her apartment just days after she was shot. The family says they stole TVs, clothing and other items. Friends and family say it is just too much to take, and they just want answers for their friend who was always there for them.  

"She was a go-to for everybody. The person you could talk to that's who she was, said close friend Markeya Dukes.