Man Charged With Murdering 1-Year-Old Arrested By DCSO, FBI

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A man charged with murdering a one-year-old in Weldon, NC, was arrested in Lithia Springs Dec. 14 with the help of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. The man, who is believed to have fled to Georgia shortly after the murder, is now pending extradition back to North Carolina.

Malcom Lukei Artis, 22, of Halifax, NC, has been charged with first degree murder, attempted murder and discharging a weapon into an occupied property causing serious bodily injury, after police responded to a drive by shooting on Dec. 7 in Weldon, NC. Artis was arrested in Lithia Springs at 9:55 a.m. by Special Agents with the FBI Raleigh Safe Streets Task Force, NC SBI Fugitive and Missing Person Task Force, Atlanta Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff's Office, FBI Charlotte and FBI Atlanta.

One-year-old Jaxson Ryder Clay was struck in the head and the house was struck by bullet fire several times, according to police. The police said they received tips from family, friends and concerned citizens to locate Artis.

Clay and his family had just finished attending the Town of Weldon Christmas parade when he was fatally struck in the head, police said.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and no motive has been released at this time.

Photo courtesy of the Weldon Police Department