An arrest warrant issued Monday says Elliott Mizell was murdered by a man he mentored and allowed to sleep on his couch.
The warrant also says suspect Daniel Maurice Thomas called his mother and sister to confess to killing Mizell.
Mizell, 55, was found dead Saturday morning in his home on Villa North Court.
According to a release from the Warner Robins Police Department, Thomas was arrested around 10 p.m. Monday at a home in the 700-block of Hidden Creek Circle.
The release says Mizell died from a single gunshot wound on Saturday at his home on Villa Court North.
Thomas is charged with felony burglary, felony murder, and felony aggravated assault. More charges may be possible.
The warrant says Calandra Dugger, Thomas' mother, says he called her around 9 a.m. Saturday and said he shot a man with a friend's gun. He called his mother using Mizell's cell phone, the warrant says.
Dugger told investigators that Mizell visited her on December 1 to say he was trying to mentor Daniel Thomas and that he'd allow Thomas to sleep on his couch at least once.
"For this man to do what he's alleged of doing sends shockwaves around this community," longtime friend Robert Ross said.
Thomas also called a sister in Texas and told her he had killed a man, the warrant says.
Dugger contacted police two days later, on Monday, according to the warrant.
Ross says Mizell was involved in their fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha and the Warner Robins alumni chapter of Fort Valley State University.
"Elliott's work is never done," Ross said. "Someone will have to step up to the plate for him because Elliott was involved with everything, and even though he's not the president, you would think he was the president because he made things work."
Just last year their alumni chapter named a scholarship after Mizell.
"He's a man who lost his life helping others. Now we're going to have to go out and ask for support for him in his honor. It won't be easy," Ross said.
Thomas appeared before a magistrate judge Tuesday morning and is being held without bond.