A former Georgia recipient was arrested Wednesday and charged with the 2021 murder of a gas station attendant in the Athens area, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office announced via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Ahkil Crumpton was arrested and charged after police said he shot dead 23-year-old Elijah James Wood at a RaceTrac gas station early March 19, 2021. Crumpton, a Philadelphia native who has been under investigation since last month, was allegedly dressed all in black with a face covering when he killed Wood – who was later found dead behind the counter by a customer.
Crumpton was arrested in Philadelphia after officers said they matched the bullet casing from the gas station shooting with another crime scene in Philadelphia.
“Over the past year, we have seen the pain, agony and frustration this murder has brought to Elijah’s family, friends and our community,” Sheriff James A. Hale said in a statement. “We all know that this arrest will not bring Elijah back, but we hope that his family, friends and this community can now begin the healing process. We also know that the fight is not over yet. We must now successfully bring the case to court.”
Crumpton played for Georgia for two seasons in 2017 and 2018 and had 10 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown in that span.
“We were stunned to learn that the suspect in this horrific crime is a former UGA student-athlete,” the UGA Athletic Association said in a statement to the Journal-Constitution. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Elijah Wood.”
Ahkil Crumpton, who played two seasons for Georgia in 2017 and 2018, was arrested in Philadelphia on Wednesday. (Jamie Gilliam/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images)
