Augusta murder suspect arrested in Jacksonville

21-year-old arrested in victims' car after high-speed chase

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Daniel Robinson

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 21-year-old man suspected of killing a man and shooting his wife in north Georgia church parking lot on Thursday night was arrested early Friday morning in Jacksonville after a pursuit by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Daniel Nelson Robinson was arrested driving the couple's car in Jacksonville about 5 a.m. Friday.

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The shooting happened around 10:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Marvin United Methodist Church in Martinez. 

Columbus County, Ga., investigators said church members, 55-year-old William Davitte, and his 64-year-old wife, Jennifer Davitte, were at the church turning on the sprinkler system. While the wife waited in the car, Robinson approached the car and shot her. When William heard her scream, he rounded the corner and was shot in the face three times. He died at the scene.

Police said Robinson drove off in the couple's 2010 Gold Nissan Murano and returned to Jacksonville. A FHP tropper spotted the stolen car driving south on Interstate 95 near Pecan Park Road and followed it exiting on Dunn Avenue. When the trooper attempted to stop the car, the driver did a U-Turn and re-entered I-95 southbound at a high rate of speed.

After about a 3-mile pursuit, the car exited onto Edgewood Avenue and the trooper lost sight of it. Several Jacksonville Sheriff's Office patrol cars found the car abandoned at Lake Forest Boulevard and Wayne Street. The area was searched and officers found Robinson, who had blood on his clothing.

He was arrested and charged in Duval County with aggravated fleeing and eluding, possession of a stolen vehicle and other charges.  He will likely be transferred to Georgia authorities on murder and attempted murder charges.