Paul GuerrantPolice in Dalton, Ga., arrested a man Wednesday on homicide charges dating back to a December killing.
Police arrested 26-year-old Aaron Howell in an abandoned house behind the Wal-Mart on East Walnut Avenue, according to a release.
Dalton Police Chief Jason Parker said it was not difficult to find Howell once the warrant was issued.
“Some of the people in the area were familiar with [Howell] and pointed out where he might be,” Parker said. “And sure enough we were able to locate him there.”
Howell is charged with killing Paul Guerrant. On Dec. 22, someone found Guerrant lying in the middle of Dozier Street. He had been walking home from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Police say Howell punched him several times in the head. Guerrant died at Erlanger hospital in Chattanooga.
“It’s hard to say right now what the motive may have been,” Parker said. “We are still trying to determine what the connection, if any, was between Howell and Guerrant.”
Police began investigating Howell after someone gave them a tip in January. They were able to link him to the crime through physical evidence, according to Parker, but since the case is still active police won’t release any additional details.
Parker said the Dalton community has not been able to forget this brutal case.
“This is an investigation we have been actively working on, and has been hanging over our community for some while,” he said. “It is really good to be closer to being able to wrap this case up.”
Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592.