DEKALB COUNTY, Ga — The family of a woman murdered on Christmas Eve said they are relieved the accused killer is finally behind bars.
A fugitive squad captured Jake Jackson Monday night at a Walmart on Memorial Drive in DeKalb County.
Jackson is accused of shooting his ex-wife, 40-year-old Tiffanie Phillips, at her home on Terrace Trail.
“The kids can rest now because they were thinking he may come back,” Valerie Phillips told Channel 2’s Tom Jones.
Phillips’ three children haven’t been able to sleep at night after her family said two of them saw Jackson shoot their mother in front of their home the night before Christmas.
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Police said Jackson ran away and was on the run for five days before he was taken into custody.
Tiffanie’s father says he was uneasy with Jackson being on the run.
“I didn’t know whether he was going to knock on the door or come through the window,” Harvey Phillips said.
Now the family can breathe a sigh of relief.
“I’m glad he’s off the streets,” Harvey Phillips said.
Phillips’ family said she told them Jackson wouldn’t leave her alone or accept the relationship was over.
Her twin sister, Stephanie William, called Jackson a coward.
“Why? Because a real man would have just walked away. So he took the coward’s way out and took her life,” she said.
Family members said they didn’t expect to make funeral arrangements for the mother of three, but that’s what they’re doing.
Phillips’ mother, Valerie, says Jackson tried to poke a hole in the family’s strength, but failed.
“We are all relieved knowing that he will not be able to do this to anyone else,” she said.
Jackson is being held on felony murder and aggravated assault charges.
Phillips will be laid to rest Saturday afternoon.