BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Glynn County police, working with Navy divers from the Kings Bay submarine base, say they have located what is believed to be the gun that was used to kill Brunswick police Officer Melvin Collins.
Homicide detectives had requested the assistance of the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordinance divers to search the marsh area where suspect Daniel Brown fled the night Collins (pictured, right) and a customer of the Friendly Express convenience store were hit by gunfire.
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Collins later died of his injuries.
Brown and Donte Hardy face 11 criminal counts, ranging from aggravated assault to felony murder, in connection with the robbery and shooting.
The Navy was able to provide more sophisticated, stronger detecting devises than police and used to search the area weeks earlier. Approximately 10 law enforcement, along with search-and-rescue personnel, joined the Navy divers in the search Thursday morning.
The weapon appeared to be in good condition, despite the 34 days it had remained in the wet and salty environment, according to Glynn County Detective Pete Cove. It will be transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations Crime lab for testing and analysis.
The case is still under investigation.
Previous Stories:
- April 24, 2003: D.A. To Seek Death Penalty On Men Accused Of Murdering Officer
- April 18, 2003: Brunswick Officer Remembered As Hero, Laid To Rest Friday
- April 15, 2003: Brunswick Cop Killed, Customer Shot During Hold Up