Marion County Sheriff’s on Thursday, announced the arrest of a man who they believe is responsible for a quadruple homicide that occurred on August 5.
31-year-old James Bannister was arrested around 7:00 a.m. He has been charged with four counts of premediated murder and one count of arson.
Last Friday, the bodies of two children, 8-year-old CorDarrian Hill, 6-year-old Corderica Hill, 27-year-old Jocalyn Gray and 52-year-old Bridget Gray were discovered in a burning home on Northwest Fifth Street just after mid-night.
Investigators determined that the four victims who perished did not die as a result of the fire. They had each been shot at least once.
In order to speed up their investigation, the Sheriff’s Office formed a task force to solve the crime and announced a reward of $5,000 to anyone who provides information leading to an arrest.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, using phone records, detectives discovered that Bannister, boyfriend of one of the victims, Jocalyn Gray, lied about his whereabouts the morning of the murders. Â Bannister was in fact in the area of the home during the time of the incident.
Investigators also said, a witness came forward on Wednesday with information about Bannister and a conversation they had that indicated Bannister had killed the women and children. Â The witness also told detectives Bannister had used a .38 caliber revolver, which was consistent with evidence found at the scene.
Bannister is being held in the Marion County jail, without bond.
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