Mother wants to know why man accused of killing son was out on the streets

ATLANTA — The family of a man who was killed when he walked in on a robbery in his own apartment on Oct. 31 tells Channel 2 Action News that there has been a break in the case to find his killer.

Just before 6 p.m. Tuesday, the family of Alex Newton contacted Channel 2’s Nefertiti Jaquez to report that police have a suspect in custody.

The victim’s brother said on Wednesday that detectives arrested the man they believe is behind the killing.

On Wednesday, police confirmed they had arrested Jeffries S. Anderson in connection to the murder.

"It goes to show you what kind of impact Alex had on the neighborhood," his brother Trey Newton said.

Atlanta police said Anderson did time before for manslaughter and had warrants for burglary.

"He has seven cycles of miscellaneous crimes, most violent is manslaughter. He served in DeKalb County for 12 years,” said deputy Chief Darryl Tolleson.

Police say Anderson also had a warrant for burglaries in another county.

This latest development comes 12 days after hundreds gathered to remember the victim at a vigil.

Jaquez met Newton’s mother, Beth Newton, for the first time at the vigil.

“It's just hard to understand why someone thought something was so important in there, and that it was worth taking a life,” Beth Newton said. "When he took Alex's life, he took an innocent person, a good person."

She said she questions why Anderson was out of jail, given his criminal history.

"Knowing he had a troubled past, been in jail before for killing someone else, you just have to ask yourself, 'Why was he out?'" she said.

While Alex's mother and the rest of his family are relieved that Anderson has been caught, she said now they are forced to go through the holidays without their loved one.

"It’s going to be tough, it will. Because I remember like yesterday, last Thanksgiving, we made a circle and told exactly what they were thankful for. And Alex was so thankful for everything," Newton said. “He will always be in our hearts, and we will carry him wherever we go, and that won't change.”

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Atlanta police and the lead detective on Newton’s case made their presence known at the vigil and were among the group of mourners.

Jaquez called the Atlanta Police Department Tuesday night to confirm the arrest, and they did not deny that the suspect is in custody. They simply said that it is an ongoing investigation.

After Newton was killed, detectives quickly released surveillance video of the suspect they were looking for.

Cox Media Group