HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – The man accused of a murder in Huntsville on Christmas Day was arrested Thursday, officials said.

According to Huntsville Police the person of interest in the Uvalde Lane murder was arrested in Greenville, Mississippi by the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force. According to HPD, Marion Joseph Mercer, 35, has been charged with murder.

The victim was identified as 37-year-old Leah Jones, according to the Madison County Coroner’s Office. When police arrived at the scene on December 25, they found Jones dead from a gunshot wound.

The coroner’s office said the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Initial investigation revealed that the suspect fled the scene before authorities arrived.

Following the incident on Dec. 27 and Dec. 30, Huntsville police reached out to the public to identify a person of interest captured on video near the crime scene.

Shortly before officers arrived, the individual was seen leaving the residence and using tips, the suspect was identified and arrested.

Mercer was located and taken into custody without incident, police said. He was accused of murder.

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