Jarrell Comments on Arrest in Colbert Murder Case

Toccoa Police Chief Tim Jarrell said Tuesday he is happy to announce an arrest in the death of Tomas Colbert.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said that 35-year-old Marqkeela Lawain Hill of Douglasville, Georgia, has been arrested and charged with one count of murder in the death of Tomas Colbert back in February in Toccoa.

GBI agents made the arrest in Douglasville, Georgia Monday afternoon with the assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the agency announced on Tuesday.

Jarrell said that a lot of long hours have gone into this investigation so far and this arrest is the culmination of that.

“I am very proud of the men and women that work for the Toccoa Police Department and additionally, I am very happy and very proud of the men and women who work for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, especially out of the Cleveland office,” said Jarrell.

The 21-year-old Colbert was shot in the early morning hours of Sunday, February 7 at an apartment located on Falls Road in the city limits of Toccoa.

The apartment is located just north of the Toccoa Post Office.

Colbert had several gunshot wounds to his body and was conscious in the living room of the apartment where he was found, said Jarrell.

Colbert was transported first to Stephens County Hospital, then was flown to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he died from his wounds shortly after arriving.

Police can not yet comment on a motive for the shooting, adding that they are continuing to follow up on that front, said Jarrell, and the investigation into Colbert’s death remains open.

“I know the family, as well as us in law enforcement, still have many questions that need to be answered,” said Jarrell. “We are still looking for those answers. That is why the investigation is still ongoing. We hope to be able to answer the family’s questions, as well as ours, soon.”

Hill was taken to the Douglas County Jail and will be transported back to the Stephens County Jail, said Jarrell.