SRSO: Fatal shooting in Pace was possible robbery; 2 Alabama men arrested for murder

Benjamin Johnson, Pensacola News Journal
·2 min read
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Two people have been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in Pace on Monday, Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson announced during a Thursday press conference.

Johnson said 30-year-old Marcus Dickinson and 20-year-old Ja'Cobey James were arrested for allegedly killing Joseph Liebe, 24, while he was in his car. SRSO investigators believe the two suspects were attempting to rob Liebe.

"(There's) no definite motive at this time. We believe, possibly, it's a robbery," Johnson said during the press conference. "(There's) no information at this time to suggest that the victim knew the suspects in any form or fashion."

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Dickinson is charged with second-degree murder and James is charged with first-degree murder, according to Johnson.

Deputies originally received a report of shots fired around 6:30 p.m. Monday and found Liebe dead behind the wheel of his vehicle in the area of Wallace Lake Road and Quintette Road. Johnson said investigators believe Liebe tried to drive away after being shot, but crashed after succumbing to his wounds.

SRSO detectives then followed up on a lead based on what Johnson said was a "vague" vehicle description of a maroon Chevrolet Tahoe and identified the vehicle the same day.

After receiving a search warrant for the vehicle and its owner's residence, detectives traveled to Atmore, Alabama, Tuesday and served the warrant on Dickinson with the help of the Atmore Police Department and the Escambia County (Alabama) Sheriff's Office, Johnson said. Dickinson was arrested at his residence.

Deputies then served a search warrant for James' last known address, but he was not on scene.

James' family told detectives he would turn himself in at 1 p.m. Wednesday. SRSO detectives were notified by Alabama deputies that James turned himself in Wednesday and was in custody.

Both suspects await extradition to Santa Rosa County, and Johnson says the investigation is ongoing.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pace shooting victim Joseph Liebe's alleged killers arrested by SRSO