Four charged in 8 year old murder case
CORDELE, GA (WALB) - Four people are now in jail charged with a 2005 murder in Cordele. But officials say the investigation isn't over.
Antonio Brown, Antonio Glover, Eric Mason and Kevin Glover of Cordele are now behind bars, charged with the 2005 Christmas Eve murder of 55 year old Karim Bashir.
"I actually was a responding officer at the time. A call came out in reference to what was believed to be a robbery in process," said Detective Ketorie Sales.
Witnesses say they saw six black men around Bashir's merchandise shop in the 500 block of West 24th Avenue where he was in business for 30 years. Bashir was struck in the head with a metal object and died later at a Macon hospital.
"Because that was the main thing they grabbed was just clothes, CD's, and a lot of jackets and stuff," recalled Detective Sales.
Leonard Patrick knew Bashir for more than 15 years and says he was a good guy.
"He was one of the guys, if you was going out back in the days, he come from South Carolina and if you wanted an outfit, he'll make sure you're alright, said Patrick. "If you're a little short on cash, he'll take care of you. He's a good guy; if he could help you he would help you."
When arrest warrants were issued, Antonio Brown was already in a state prison for a separate robbery. Antonio Glover was arrested at his job, Mason was arrested at his apartment complex and Kevin Glover turned himself in. Cordele police say all have past criminal histories.
"They had been investigated for previous robbery cases with the Cordele Police Department," said Detective Sales.
Cordele police believe others are involved in Bashir's death.
"We are in the process of interviewing the suspects and trying to pick this case back up and see what we can get from these arrests that we made now," said Detective Sales.
Patrick hopes the arrests bring justice to Bashir's family.
"I hope they get justice out of it you know for the family and his kids and all," said Patrick.
All four men have been charged with felony murder.
Investigators say recent tips led to the break in this case. They're hoping more people will come forward to help them figure out who else was involved.
