Rockdale County

‘Random act of violence’: Metro Atlanta man dies after being attacked with hammer

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect accused of using a hammer to kill a man earlier this month.

The attack happened on May 16 at a home on Broad Street.

The victim, Jimmy Vance, told deputies that he was hit in the head several times with a hammer outside his home. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.

He died on May 21 from his injuries.

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Deputies identified 32-year-old Roy B. Dees as the attacker, who was later arrested by the sheriff’s office.

Dees has been charged with murder in the alleged attack.

Authorities are still investigating the case.

A GoFundMe has been set up by his brother to help pay for the funeral expenses for Vance. His brother said that the attack was “a random act of violence.”

“He was loading his tools onto his trailer after his work day was over, when he was attacked and hit in the head with a hammer,” the GoFundMe said.

Vance’s brother said he was a father, grandfather, brother, uncle and a friend to “a lot of people.”

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