By Delivrine Registre - bio | email
SPARKS, GA (WALB) - Steve Williams says he will never forget the gruesome scene at Busters Game Room Friday night. "He was over behind the counter where he works at on the floor. And you can tell by the amount of blood he lost that he probably wasn't alive."
Williams found 72-year-old James Statum Senior there just before 8:00 PM. And he is shocked someone would do this to his friend of more than 14 years especially since Statum was well-respected in the community.
"What happened was a surprise because most of the time everything went well," said Williams. "He got along with almost everybody. You can't get along with everybody, but he got along with more than most."
Investigators have not released a motive, but Statum's wife said the money tray of the cash register that sat on the counter was missing.
"The motive I think was robbery. And the way times are you can expect that," said Williams. "Running a business people assume that you have a lot of money. If not, they will get whatever they can even if they have to hurt you in the process."
Roses with the message of love were placed in the window in front of the pool hall. "He is going to be missed. You can't replace anybody. And you sure won't be able to replace him," said Williams.
And people continued to pay their respects. "I wish it wouldn't have happened. And I hope the people responsible for doing this will be found," said Williams. As they mourn the loss of a man they say didn't deserve to die this way.
If you have any information that could help police with this homicide investigation, please call the Cook County Sheriff's Department at 229-896-7471.
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