North Fulton County

Suspect in Roswell teens' killings pleads not guilty

NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — The man suspected of killing two teenagers behind a Roswell shopping center has entered a not guilty plea.

Jeffrey Hazelwood, 20, is accused of killing Natalie Henderson and Carter Davis, both 17, behind a Publix in a shopping center on Woodstock Road at around 6 a.m. on Aug. 3.

According to the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office, the two died from a gunshot wound to the head and the manner of death in both cases was homicide.

Less than a week later, a grand jury indicted Hazelwood on charges of murder, felony murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery, financial transaction card theft, identify fraud, theft by taking and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

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In hours of interviews with investigators, Hazelwood explained what he did to the teenagers, but never offered a motive.

Police said Hazelwood surprised the teens and shot them.

The victims’ family were in the courtroom for Hazelwood’s plea hearing. Some sighed and some cried at the sight of the murder suspect.

Henderson was a student at Roswell High School, and Davis was a student at River Ridge High School.

Henderson was an honor student who loved to sing and dance. Video posted online shows her singing on her own and with her sister.

Davis played lacrosse and football.

“He, in many ways, was like a coach on the field. In fact, we sometimes joked and called him Coach Carter,” lacrosse Coach Mike Britt said about Davis.

Court documents say Hazelwood followed Henderson and Davis to the parking lot before killing and then robbing them. Police have not released any sort of connection between Hazelwood and the victims.

Hazelwood was known to Roswell police.

Cox Media Group

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