The suspect charged with murdering a man at the Sun Suites Hotel in Gainesville, Georgia, earlier this month spent two nights in a shelter at First Baptist Church of Cornelia. 29-year old Jose Garcia-Flores registered at the church’s cold weather shelter on January 8, two days before the crime was discovered.
Murder suspect sought refuge in local church
Garcia-Flores is charged with malice murder in the stabbing death of 52-year old Harmon Lavender of Augusta. A maintenance worker found Lavender’s body in a room at the hotel on Jesse Jewell Parkway on January 10. Police say an autopsy revealed Lavender died of multiple stab wounds. Authorities have not said when they believe the murder occurred.
Police released a photo of Garcia-Flores on Sunday, June 11, identifying him as a missing person.
“Initially, we were concerned with Garcia-Flores’ welfare, his safety and well-being. Once it was determined that he was safe, and through the course of the investigation, it was revealed that he was our primary suspect,” Gainesville Police Department spokesman Corporal Kevin Holbrook says.
Authorities say Garcia-Flores was born in Mexico but had lived in Gainesville for a number of years. They have not yet released a motive for the murder. They say the victim and suspect knew each other.
“It was a vicious, brutal attack,” Holbrook says. “Gruesome to say the least.”
Garcia-Flores was arrested in New York and returned to Georgia by US Marshals. He was booked into the Hall County Jail around 11 pm Wednesday, January 14 on a parole violation and probation warrant from Superior Court. Jail officials say the malice murder charge was added soon after.
Police say the investigation continues and more charges may be filed.
