Former Georgia football player Akhil Crumpton arrested in connection with murder

The former Bulldogs wide receiver is under suspicion in the shooting death of a gas station clerk.

Former Georgia football player Akhil Crumpton has been arrested in connection to the murder of 23-year-old gas station clerk Elijah Wood last year, according to the Oconee County (Georgia) Sheriff's Office.

Wood was shot and killed on March 19, 2021, by an assailant dressed in all black and with most of his face covered by sunglasses, a hood, and face mask, according to investigators.

Wood's killing generated large public interest and led to the announcement of a $50,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest in the case. 

The FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals, and Georgia Bureau of Investigation have all collaborated on the investigation, which is still ongoing.

Shell casings at the crime scene were matched to another crime scene in Philadelphia where police suspected Crumpton was the shooter.

James Hale, the Oconee Sheriff, said an investigation led to the evidence his office needed to obtain an arrest warrant for Crumpton in the Wood killing.

Crumpton is a native of Philadelphia and initially went to junior college in California before joining the Georgia football program as a wide receiver from 2017-18.

Crumpton remains a suspect in the Philadelphia shooting, but no charges have been filed in that case, a police spokesman there told the media.

Crumpton plated in 13 games for the Bulldogs in the 2017 season, catching five passes for 96 yards, including Georgia's longest of the season, a 78 yard touchdown against Georgia Tech.

He played in 11 games in 2018, starting two, with catches against Austin Peay and recording a single punt return against South Carolina.

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