Courtney Thornton, 25, accused of murdering Dennis Rogers was arrested in DeKalb County early Saturday morning, according to Newton County Sheriff's Lt. Bill Watterson.

"We had received information that he was in Atlanta in the area of Cameron Road," Watterson said, "and with the assistance of the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Marshal's we were able to take him into custody."

Watterson said the arrest occurred at approximately 2 a.m. Saturday without incident.

Thornton, currently held in the Newton County Detention Center, was charged with murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, possession of a firearm during a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Thornton allegedly shot Rogers, 38, in the back of the head while the two were passengers in a green 2001 Jaguar S-class shortly before 4 a.m. on New Year's Day.

The shooting occurred on Gum Tree Trail near Thornton's residence.

Watterson said the details of whether the shooting was drug-related as well as what transpired immediately after the incident are being withheld due to pending litigation against Thornton.

According to Watterson, the driver of the Jaguar escaped from the vehicle and made contact with an NCSO deputy at the Kroger on Salem Road.

Deputies then found Rogers still alive in the Jaguar; he was life flighted to Atlanta Medical Center where he was diagnosed with severe brain injury.

Rogers was pronounced dead Friday morning at AMC

Watterson said Thornton will appear before a magistrate Monday morning and then the district attorney will schedule a time for him to appear before a superior court judge.

Tyler Smith contributed to this report.