(Right) Vanessa Elaine Thrasher
Otis Ricks
Suspect photosATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Atlanta police have made an arrest in the killing of a restaurant owner.
Otis Ricks, 23, was captured within 24 hours of the shooting at The Hotel Magnolia on Old Dixie Highway.
Vanessa Elaine Thrasher, the owner of O. T.'s Lounge and Soul Food Grill, was found dead from several gunshot wounds early Thursday morning.
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard is investigating a possible link between Thrasher's shooting and the fact she was scheduled to testify in an upcoming murder trial.
Howard said Thrasher was at his office on Wednesday.
"We told her we thought that maybe we should put her in a place of security. She was very adamant that she wanted to go back to her business. She had every right to do and earn a living," said Howard. "She thought she would be able to survive and work in safety until the trial on Monday."
Howard said his office received unconfirmed information that Thrasher was a target.
"We had heard some rumors that maybe there might be some danger to her because of her testimony," said Howard.
Howard said investigators have not established a connection between Thrasher's murder and her upcoming testimony.
Police are still looking for the men seen wearing the white T-shirts in surveillance photos.
Call Crimestoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477) with any information. You may be eligible for rewards up to $2,000 and will remain anonymous.
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