By Steven Thomas
The Valley Times-News

 

WEST POINT — One of the three West Point men wanted for his alleged involvement in a shooting Wednesday evening has been captured. 

Octavious Bridges, 24, was arrested Friday morning at 11 a.m. at his sister’s home in Fairburn, according to West Point Police Captain Kevin Carter. The search continues for Trent Murphy, 24, and Eric Bridges, 25.

According to a press release from the West Point Police Department, the three men are wanted for their alleged role in a shooting Wednesday evening on Dogwood Circle that resulted in the death of 50-year-old Valley resident Reggie Pearson.

“We believe he left the city [West Point] to hide,” Carter said of Bridges.

Carter said that an anonymous tip led him and members of the U.S. Marshal’s Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force-Atlanta to the residence. Bridges was apprehended without incident. Also helping out in the case were the Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Troup County Sheriff’s Office, Troup County Coronors’ Office and Lanett Police Department.

“It was one against 21. You don’t have difficulties with those numbers,” Carter said.

Carter said Bridges has been officially charged with felony murder and being a fugitive of justice.

He is also being held for possible involvement with a home invasion and robbery that occurred in Lanett back in December.

“He’s is suspected to have been involved in a number of cases in Alabama and Georgia across multiple counties and jurisdictions,” Carter said.

The captain said there are currently no leads pointing to the other two suspects, and Bridges is being uncooperative.

Pearson was discovered on a porch at a residence in the 1000 block of Dogwood Circle in West Point. According to a West Point Police Department press release, he had been shot in the chest.

West Point Police Captain Robert Fawley said investigators believe Pearson was meeting with Murphy and Bridges for a narcotics transaction.

“Evidence shows the three men attempted to rob Pearson, and he was shot,” Fawley said. “Pearson succumbed to his injuries and the three fled.”

Later that day, an arrest warrant was issued for all three men.

The West Point Police Department is requesting anyone who may have any information regarding this incident or who may have been in the area during this time and noticed any suspicious person or vehicle to call the West Point Police at (706) 645-3525 or (706) 645-3548 or your local Crime Stoppers at (706) 812 1000.