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10-10-12 Update: The fourth and final suspect has been arrested in the shooting of a well-known and well-liked restaurant owner who was killed while defending her life and business in northwest Atlanta.

Mr. Christopher Penson, 23, was taken into custody at police headquarters on Tuesday and charged with felony murder in the Aug. 16 slaying of Ms. Vanessa Elaine Thrasher, according to Atlanta Police.

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ATLANTA – Authorities announced on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012 a $12,000 reward in connection with the murder of a popular northwest Atlanta lounge owner.

Fulton County D.A. Paul Howard, along with Atlanta police and family members of the victim, made the announcement at O.T.’s Lounge and Soul Food Grill where Vanessa Elaine Thrasher was murdered last month.

Authorities say she was shot seven times, even though she had given the suspects $200 from the register.

“She did give the money to them and they shot her seven times anyway. And of course, it was a senseless murder,” said the victim’s brother, Michael Thrasher. “I mean they got the money they were seeking but they killed her anyway. You know, they participated in this heinous crime and they took my sister’s life. And the right thing for them to do is turn themselves in.”

Authorities also announced the arrest of suspect Demario Carman. Detectives say he was taken into custody by the Atlanta Fugitive Task Force near Campbellton Road in southwest Atlanta on Tuesday night. Otis Ricks was arrested within 24 hours of the murder after police released surveillance photos of the men during the crime.

They say two other suspects, identified as Gerald Peterson and a person known as CJ, are being sought. Police hope the offer of a reward will get people to give them information on the suspects, leading to a quick arrest.

Authorities say Thrasher was planning to testify in an upcoming murder trial, and that she had received death threats for her willingness to testify. They say evidence collected during the course of the investigation points to robbery as the motive.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, September 6th, 2012 at 8:00 am and is filed under $10,000+, Georgia, Solved. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.