Suspect In Fatal Smyrna Stabbing ID'ed

Updated 3:45 p.m. Monday

SMYRNA, GA — Police have identified the suspect in a deadly stabbing Sunday in an Atlanta Road apartment in Smyrna.

Officers responded around 4 p.m. in the 2200 block of Atlanta Road after a man entered the apartment and engaged in a brief verbal dispute with another man in the home, Smyrna Police said.

Police say Javi A. Silva Maldonado stabbed the other man before fleeing the scene and heading north on Atlanta Road toward Pat Mell Road, police said.

Maldonado was not found after an extensive search on Sunday; however, on Monday, Smyrna Police confirmed to Patch that Cobb County Police arrested him overnight.

Cobb County Jail records showed Maldonado is facing charges of felony murder and possession of a firearm/knife during the commission of a crime.

Additional warrants were issued Monday to charge him with possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer and wearing a mask, hood or device which conceals identity of wearer. Jail records showed Maldonado is being held without bond.

The man who was stabbed suffered severe injuries and was taken to a hospital, where he died several hours later, police said. He was not identified, pending next-of-kin notification.

The two men knew each other, and police say the community was not in danger. Smyrna Police detectives are investigating the case.