CBS Atlanta 46Police: Nearly $20,000 in getaway car

The silver van six men were arrested in following a Norcross teen's murder had a lot of cash in it, say Norcross Police. Close to $20,000.

This information came out during a probable cause hearing at the Gwinnett County Jail.  During that hearing the six men, charged with  the murder of Nicholas Jackson II, all were said to have denied knowing where the money came from.

Sgt. Bill Grogan with Norcross Police said they are still investigating where the money came from.  According to Grogan's testimony, it was found in the stow-and-go compartment of the silver mini van identified by the victim's sister leaving the scene.

Michael Davis, Jason Dozier, Eddie Green, Timothy Johnson, Anthony Lumpkin, and Reco Dehaven West sat in court as Grogan detailed what happened the night of Feb. 2.

Grogan said the men kicked down a door in the basement and entered the home on Autry Street in Norcross.  At that point, Grogan said six shots were fired into Nicholas' bedroom door.  Nicholas was hit once in the chest and died. 

Grogan said by the way the bullet entered his chest, he must have been pushing against the door trying to keep the burglars from getting into his room.

"The way I have looked at it and visualized it, there is no way he could have done that unless he had his head at the door or propping himself up with his hands against the door."

Investigators said the homeowner, Nicholas Jackson Sr. told them he kept around $700 cash in his son's room.  But he did not admit that any of the nearly $20,000 belonged to him.

Norcross police recovered a total of four guns throughout their investigation. 

According to Grogan, Anthony Lumpkin was wearing a shoe that was similar to a print found on the basement door.  Lumpkin was captured after a foot pursuit shortly after the shooting and found to be barefoot.

Police said it was Nikia Jackson's description of the silver van leaving her home that led police to all six men.   A Norcross police officer spotted a van that fit the description on Jimmy Carter Boulevard.

"I heard a lot of banging, and I thought he was downstairs bouncing a basketball because he always does that," said Nikia. "I didn't think anything of it. And like three minutes later, he just stopped. I came downstairs and saw the van pulling away, and I knew something was wrong."

"I ran down," Nikia  said as she fought back tears. "I called my grandma. She told me to call 911. I called 911. I started doing CPR."

Jackson, a football player at Norcross High School, was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

The victim's father told CBS Atlanta News that his son was playing a video game in the basement when the men broke in. He said he believes his son's presence startled the men and that they shot him because he simply was in the way.

Jackson said his private investigator is looking into every possible aspect of the suspects' backgrounds to try to find any information that could help him  learn why his son was killed.

Grogan said Dozier admitted during a part of the interrogation what their intentions were going to the home.

"Basically asked him had they targeted this house, driven to that area specifically to break into the house?" said Grogan.  "He didn't know if they had a specific reason, but went in and shot and killed a 15-year-old boy. He affirmed that, by saying that the detectives were thinking the right thing."

While in custody, Grogan said Dozier also clasped his hands up to his face and said to another suspect, "That is it for me bro."

That comment, according to Grogan, was made in response to evidence about the gunpowder residue testing on one of the weapons secured during the crime.

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