Augusta Murder Suspect in Custody in North Augusta

An Augusta murder suspect was taken into custody in North Augusta tonight after a brief standoff at an apartment complex.

The man was wanted for questioning in the death of 31-year-old Demon Parrish, who went missing in Augusta in early January.

There was a heavy police presence at the Plaza Place Apartments near the Publix shopping Center at 5:00 pm.  North Augusta Public Safety Officers were called to assist the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force in possibly apprehending a suspect.

"There was believed to be a wanted murder suspect from a recent murder in Augusta located in the building," according to Lt. Clay Swann of the North Augusta Department of Public Safety.

The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Caleb Jamar White, who was wanted for questioning in the disappearance and murder of Demon Parrish.  Parrish was last seen in Augusta on Mill Street January 8 and his body was found earlier this month in a wooded area in the 3500 block of Silver Bluff Road in Aiken County.  An autopsy confirmed Parrish died from a gunshot wound.  At the time the Richmond County Sheriff's Office said White was wanted for questioning, but was not a suspect in Parrish's death then.  They said he did have an active felony warrant for Theft by Receiving Stolen Property in a separate case.

"Once on scene, North Augusta Negotiators began trying to make contact with the suspect and a female inside the apartment.  After about an hour, contact was made and negotiators were able to talk them into coming out of the apartment," said Swann.

White was arrested and questioned by Richmond County Sheriff's Office Investigators.  He is currently being held in the Aiken County Detention Center, awaiting extradition back to Richmond County where he is expected to be charged with Parrish's murder.

The female with White at the time of his arrest has not been named.  It's not known if she faces any charges.