A rape suspect accused of shooting a judge and two others at a courthouse in the US has been recaptured after a day on the run in which he allegedly killed an immigration agent, stole his truck and took a woman hostage.
Brian Nichols is in custody," said Officer Darren Moloney of the Gwinnett County Police Department. "Everybody is safe."
Moloney said Nichols, 33, was armed and had a female hostage when he was caught at a suburban apartment complex. The woman was not identified by authorities, and it was unclear what relationship she had with Nichols.
FBI Spokesman Steve Lazarus said Nichols is a suspect in the courthouse shootings and the fatal shooting of a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent found dead early today.
The agent, identified as David Wilhelm, was discovered shot to death at an upscale townhouse complex, and his blue pickup truck, pistol and badge were missing.
Authorities could not immediately confirm reports that the truck was found with Nichols, who was taken into federal custody.
After Nichols' arrest, a crowd of people across the street from the apartment complex cheered as a black sports utility vehicle drove away, escorted by multiple police cars with lights flashing and sirens on.
The courthouse shootings Friday set off a massive manhunt and created widespread chaos across Atlanta, where schools, restaurants and office buildings locked down amid fears that the suspect might strike again.
Nichols was being escorted to his retrial on rape and other charges yesterday when he allegedly overpowered a court deputy, taking her gun, before killing three people: the judge presiding over his case, a court reporter and a deputy who confronted him as he escaped the courthouse.
The deputy from whom he stole the gun, Cynthia Hall, remained in critical condition today.
AP