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Man Surrenders and Is Charged in 1999 Atlanta Murder

Police say they established probable cause and negotiated the suspect’s self-surrender to move a nearly 27-year cold case toward prosecution.

Overview

  • Janarra Sherrer, 61, turned himself in on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, and is charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
  • Investigators say the case stems from July 31, 1999, when officers found 29-year-old Bridgett Lockhart dead inside her northwest Atlanta home while her two children slept.
  • Atlanta’s Homicide Unit consulted with the Fulton County District Attorney, obtained arrest warrants after establishing probable cause, and negotiated Sherrer’s surrender to police.
  • Authorities have not disclosed what new evidence led to the arrest and have not confirmed whether Sherrer is the boyfriend investigators publicly sought in June; police say he has an extensive prior criminal history.
  • Lockhart’s daughter, Elandra Loyal, who is now a DeKalb County police officer, publicly renewed pleas for answers this year and family members now await prosecution as the investigation continues.