Black ‘Acquaintance’ Arrested for Double Murder of White Folks at Motel

WTVR
April 10, 2015

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Kim Eledge was killed by the wild beast at the Loyalty Inn at 25 South Crater Road.

Police have made an arrest in a deadly double shooting at a Tri-Cities motel late Friday night.

Petersburg police said officers were called to the Loyalty Inn at 25 South Crater Road just before 11:30 p.m.

“Inside one of the rooms, police found the bodies of 39-year-old William Thurston III of Chesterfield and 35-year-old Kimberly Eledge with a last known address in Richmond. Both had been shot,” Petersburg Police spokeswoman Esther Hyatt said in a news release.

Officers arrested 23-year-old Marcus Harmon of Petersburg on Sunday. Harmon has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder charges and three firearm violations, including possession of gun by a convicted felon.

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Marcus Harmon was known to the victims.

Harmon, who appeared in court  Monday morning and advised the court he would hire his own attorney, is being held without bond.

Police said the suspect and the victims were mutual acquaintances, but there has been no word yet on a motive for the slayings. News of the arrest provided some comfort to the victims’ grieving friends and family members.

“I really expected this to go as an unsolved case, and to know that they have an individual, really touches my heart,” said Stephanie Nuckols, Kim Eledge’s sister. “To know they worked so hard and diligently to take care of it.”

“I couldn’t believe they apprehended that gentleman as quick as they did and I’m glad they did it,” Thurston said.