A man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a Georgia woman who was fatally shot after discovering burglars ransacking her home.
Suspect Arrested Months After Fatal Shooting
Marquel Heard, 33, was arrested in Birmingham, Alabama, on Thursday, nearly four months after the violent incident in DeKalb County. The arrest came following an extensive investigation into the killing of 36-year-old Ana Scott on 20 September 2025.
Investigators stated that Scott arrived at her home while the burglary was in progress. According to authorities, one of three suspects opened fire on her vehicle as she confronted them. Her Jeep was later found riddled with bullet holes by officers from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.
Doorbell Alert and Tragic Outcome
Police believe Scott was alerted to the break-in by notifications from her Ring doorbell camera, which captured footage of the intruders forcing entry. Despite being rushed to hospital, she succumbed to her injuries.
Heard now faces charges of felony murder and criminal attempt to commit burglary. He is currently detained at the Jefferson County Jail in Alabama, awaiting extradition back to Georgia to face prosecution. The identities and whereabouts of the two other men involved remain unknown, and any potential connection to the victim is still under investigation.
A Life Cut Short and a Family's Anguish
In a heartfelt statement shared with Channel 2 Action News, Ana Scott's family remembered her as a warm, caring individual with a profound love for animals. An aspiring veterinarian, she had been working at a clinic in Decatur.
"Our family is heartbroken by the death of our Ana," the statement read. "We are devastated that her life was so prematurely taken from us and from those who loved her so much. The brutal nature of her death shocks our family to our core, and we want to see her killers brought to justice."
Police have declined to comment further on the ongoing search for the remaining suspects.
