A 23-year-old Alabama man has been arrested after a brief car and foot chase and charged with the murder, robbery and attempted rape of Lauren Burk, a freshman at Auburn University. Courtney Lockhart was arrested in Phenix City, about 30 miles from the Auburn campus.
Police say Lockhart's car matched the description of one used in a string of robberies. When Phenix City police spotted the suspect car and tried to approach it, the driver fled. After a brief chase, the vehicle broke down and Lockhart attempted to flee on foot.
Auburn Assistant Police Chief Thomas Dawson would not tell reporters how investigators linked Lockhart to the abduction and murder of Burk. He also would not say what evidence police have in the case.
"We have the right individual in jail, I'm 100 percent sure of that," Dawson said.
Police Had Photo of Suspect
Dawson did reveal that investigators have a photo of the suspect that was enhanced with the help of NASA, but he would not say how the photo was obtained.
Lauren Burk, an 18-year-old freshman from Marietta, Georgia, was found beside a highway north of Auburn around 9 p.m. Tuesday with a single gunshot in the head. She died later at a hospital. Shortly after Burk was found shot, her car was discovered in a campus parking lot engulfed in flames.
Dawson said he did not think Lockhart had any ties to Auburn and he did not know Burk.
See Also:
Robbery Suspect Charged in Student Death
Earlier Article:
Auburn Student Shot, Car Torched
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Photo: Mug Shot
Comments
GO FIGURE!
THE SUSPECT WHO MURDERED THE YOUNG LADY IN NC WILL TURN OUT EXACTLY THE SAME AS THIS ONE. NOT 2 CENTS DIFFERENT.
16 months in iraq???? and they say these soldiers are getting the care they need – not taking away from what he did – he should be punished but we need to stop sending these young men to a war that doesn’t change a thing!!! i’m so pissed that this young lady was killed and it might trace back directly to president bush, hilary clinton, and anyone who voted for this war!
Why no pictures published on major news sites. Could it be they do not want you to know another young white girl was killed by a black man? If it had been the other way around can you imagine the press. Where are you now Jesse and AL? !!!!
With the latest rash of killings and killers we need to go APE. Apprehend, Prosecute and Execute.