DULUTH, Ga. — Police tell Channel 2 Action News they have found the man wanted in a deadly shooting at a DeKalb County drive-in.
Police said Mitt Lenix, 28, of Jonesboro, was having car trouble in the area early Tuesday morning, and approached a man to ask for help at the Starlight Drive-in movie theater. The man, Quentric Williams pulled out a gun, shot Lenix and raced off, authorities said.
Police followed Williams to Gwinnett County where he crashed on Lilburn-Stone Mountain Road and escaped.
Late Wednesday afternoon, police tracked Williams to a Sunrise Suites hotel in Duluth. Investigators told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh Williams tried to jump out a third story window when officers arrived.
"He did try to jump out of a third floor window, but our deputies were able to grab him and keep him from escaping. And at that point there was no further resistance," Sgt. Adrion Bell of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office said.
They quickly took Williams into custody. Channel 2 Action News had the only crew there when Williams was arrested.
Channel 2’s Erica Byfield was also there when Williams arrived at the DeKalb County Jail. Police told her they found a weapon inside William’s room.
“There was a weapon. We're not sure if that was the murder weapon or not," Bell said. “(From here) the DeKalb Police Department's investigative unit will handle all the investigations surrounding the actual shooting."
Channel 2's Tony Thomas notified Lenix's parents of the arrest Wednesday night.
The family said their martial arts studio in Stockbridge erupted in cheers upon hearing the news.
"It's a feeling of elation, a feeling of release" said Bill Lenix, Mitt's father.
On Tuesday, Mitt Lenix's parents told Channel 2's Craig Lucie their son was a world champion Taekwondo martial artist and instructor.
"The world has lost a wonderful person," Master Bill Lenix told Lucie. "We don't know why this was the end of his time on this earth, but we know his legacy will continue."
Bill Lenix said his son was also a combat medic with the National Guard.
Several years ago, Mitt Lenix turned his martial arts expertise into entertainment, partnering with friend Judah Andrews to create a popular act for the Georgia Renaissance Festival, according to Hammond, the festival's entertainment director.
But beyond his athletic skill, Mitt Lenix was known for his friendly personality and extreme dedication, Hammond said. Last season, even a knee brace from an injury sustained on stage couldn't keep Mitt Lenix from performing, she said.
"It's just so senseless," Hammond said. "He was the kindest, most dynamic person I have ever met."
Mitt Lenix, who friends said was on a date Monday night at the drive-in, couldn't get his Ford Escape to start and approached Williams for help, police said.
"He was a gentleman. He was a scholar, he was our hero and he was our son," Bill Lenix said.
"We did forgive the guy who shot my son," said Master Candy Lenix, Mitt's mother.
Lenix's funeral will be Monday at 7 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church, which is located at 1724 Highway 155 N in McDonough.
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