21-year-old Atlanta Man Convicted of Murder and Series of Crimes Receives Life Sentence

DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced on Wednesday the conviction of Alexander Amarion Rolax, 21, following a jury trial for a series of crimes in Atlanta. Rolax was found guilty on charges including Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Aggravated Assault, Armed Robbery, Criminal Attempt to Commit Armed Robbery, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.

The incidents occurred on June 17 and June 22, 2020, within a quarter-mile radius of each other. On June 17, Rolax entered a convenience store on Chamblee Dunwoody Road just before closing, brandishing a handgun and stealing cash from the register. On June 22, he attempted another robbery at a convenience store on Buford Highway but fled after firing shots at the clerk who resisted. Later that same night, Rolax fatally shot Santiago Lucas-Lopez, 44, in his driveway on Pearl Lane Court in Chamblee.

Through surveillance footage, witness testimonies, and evidence from the scenes, authorities identified Rolax as the suspect. Rolax was brought in for questioning on June 25, 2020, where he confessed to the crimes.

Following the guilty verdicts, DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Shondeana Morris sentenced Rolax to Life plus 40 years.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Kara Roberts and Jennifer Scacco, with assistance from District Attorney Investigator J.B. Williams and Victim Advocates Jozlyn Varnedoe, Kaysha Albritton, and Christy Palmer. The initial investigation was led by Sgt. Kyle Colbert and Inv. Loc Tran of the Chamblee Police Department and Inv. Scott Rogers of the Doraville Police Department.