By Kenneth Thompson

Staff writer

A 22-year-old man wanted for murder in Clayton County was arrested Sunday after allegedly shooting his girlfriend in West Point.

West Point police accused Antonio Hamm of shooting Brittany O’Kelly, 20, once in the head in their Agate Street residence around 9:15 a.m.. They also said the suspect fabricated a story of a break-in to cover his tracks.

Hamm was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon during a felony, possession of a weapon with an altered serial number and tampering with evidence.

O’Kelly was airlifted to Columbus Medical Center where her condition was unavailable. The victim was conscious and spoke to police after the shooting, Chief David Kerr said.

“The bullet went through her arm first and then struck her head,” Kerr said.

Hamm originally told police that an unknown man had forced his way into the house and shot O’Kelly during a struggle. He also gave police the false name of Raymond Hamm for himself and Kendra Brown for O’Kelly.

“Further investigation revealed that his story didn’t match the evidence that we found,” Kerr said. “For example, the investigation showed that the forced entry didn’t occur.”

The gun used in the shooting was a 380 semiautomatic handgun, police said.

Clayton County law enforcement authorities were in West Point this morning as Hamm was ‘on hold’ for a warrant for murder during an armed robbery in connection with the Dec. 14 shooting death of Forest Park resident J. Remedios Ruizmendieta. The incident occurred at Regal Park Apartments on Old Dixie Way in Forest Park.

No more details on the murder charge were available.

Kenneth Thompson can be reached at kethompson@lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 228.