CARROLLTON, Ga. — Police continue to search for clues in the murder of a Carrollton teenager as three suspects appeared in court Wednesday.
Four people are now under arrest in connection with the killing of 13-year-old Nizzear Rodriguez, who was shot to death while sleeping in his bed at his grandmother's townhome Sunday.
In an exclusive interview, Rodriguez’s grandmother told Channel 2 Action News that she's spoken with one of the suspects.
She said was able to speak to Kenneth Wheat, who is charged with her grandson’s murder, before police took him to jail.She also showed Channel 2’s Richard Elliot some of Rodriguez’s writings, which seem to foreshadow his death.
Investigators arrested 17-year old Malik Davis just hours after the murder. He made his first appearance in Magistrate Court Tuesday afternoon on murder, burglary, home invasion and weapons charges.
Wheat, 21, was on of three suspects arrested Tuesday. He is charged with murder and burglary. Jackquline Leann Freeman, 24, is also charged with murder. Police said she is suspected to have been the getaway car driver. Oleida Ward, 34, was charged making false statements during the investigation, according to police.
The murder suspects were ordered to be held without bond Wednesday.
Freeman, who police said hid the other suspects from them, was granted a $10,000 bond.
Police did not comment on a motive, but Rodriguez's family said they think Davis and Wheat broke into the home to rob them.
A magistrate judge said in court that police believe Davis stole a PlayStation out of the home.
Rodriguez's aunt, Kanisha Osorio, said Wheat was a frequent guest at their home.
"It was shocking that someone that's in your house, my mom is feeding him," said Osorio. "For someone to do something like that to my nephew, it was shocking."
Osorio believes the suspects were trying to rob her grandmother's home.
"We have PlayStation 4, nice TVs, nice shoes and all kinds of stuff, so you know, they could've wanted that,” she said.
Rodriguez celebrated his 13th birthday just hours before his killing. Osorio said his grandmother was planning to take him to buy new shoes the day they discovered his body lying in bed.
Wheat's family spoke to Channel 2 Action News shortly after his arrest and said that if Wheat did commit the crime, it would be inexcusable.
"If he did it, if he was there, there's no right in this," said Denise Wheat, the suspect's aunt. "He's a 13-year-old kid, innocent kid, in his bed asleep. If he did it, but I guess that's going to be a matter for the courts right now."
Carrollton Police Chief Joel Richards credits his investigators and the use of social media for the quick arrests in this case.
He also said he had a personal interest in catching the suspect because his daughter knew the victim.
"I can tell you, this kid was a jam-up kid," Richards said. "What you hear from the community is true. My daughter is a student at the same school he goes to."
Wheat was recently released from prison where he served time for aggravated assault, Richards confirmed.