Suspect ID'd In Execution-Style Slaying At Smyrna Gas Station

SMYRNA, GA -- Police in Smyrna have identified the suspect in aslaying outside a gas station earlier this week. Joseph Priester, 36, is wanted in the execution-style slaying of Genaro Rojas Martinez, 39, at a Texaco.

Police said that the victim came out of the gas station and was headed toward the fuel pumps when the driver of what appears to be a dark green Chevy Avalanche pulled up next to him. The driver of the Avalanche then pulled out a gun and shot the man in the head, according to a news release from Smyrna police spokesman Robert Harvey. SIGN UP: To get notified of more local news like this, click here to sign up for the Smyrna Patch. Or find your Atlanta-area town here. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.

Law enforcement officers arriving on the scene found the victim's body on the ground next to a truck. Police have no motive for the slaying but they said shooting has some of the markings of a contract killing.

"You could tell through the video, [the gunman] had purpose. He went up and almost point blank, shot him in the head," Deputy Chief Robert Harvey told WAGA-TV. "[The victim was] completely oblivious, according to the video. That's the big question mark right now. There has got to be more to this."

Priester is described as about 5-10 to 6 feet tall. He appears to weigh about 170 pounds.

Police were also able to parse together some other descriptions relating to the vehicle: The Chevy had a partially faded driver’s front and rear door and a blacked out emblem on the grill. In the bed of the vehicle, were various tools, including a vacuum cleaner, and a spool of large gauge wire, police said.

The slaying comes one week after a man was gunned down in broad daylight during a Craigslist transaction outside the Carrabba's in Smyrna. Two people have been arrested in that case.

Read more: 2 Arrested In Craigslist Slaying Outside Carrabba’s: Smyrna Police

Image via Smyrna PD