Suspect Turns Himself In After Police Say He Shot, Killed Family Member

An alleged murder suspect, who launched a multi-law enforcement agency manhunt late Sunday evening, turned himself in Monday afternoon at the Logan County Detention Center. 

Cody Scruggs, 29, is accused of shooting and killing his brother-in-law Sunday around 8 p.m. 

When first responders arrived to the shooting scene at 3200 Rollingwood Drive, Michael Cole, 46, was pronounced dead. 

Family members desperately called 911 after shots rang out telling dispatchers, the shooting came out of nowhere. 

“We were all telling each other bye and he pulled out a gun and he started shooting at him (Michael),” the family member told 911. “I know he has a gun. He ran off and is somewhere in the neighborhood.” 

Following the shooting, Scruggs fled the scene on foot. 

Jose Acosta and his family, who live nearby, heard gunshots and watched vehicles leave the scene. 

The Acosta family considered Cole to be a dear family friend.

“We were scared, we didn’t know what was going on,” said Acosta. “He (Michael) was really nice, really polite, he wanted everything right. He was a really nice guy. He wanted something good for his family.” 

In the moments following the shooting, family members who called 911 believed Scruggs grandmother may be the target of another shooting. 

“I think he is also on the way to my grandmothers because I think she is next,” the family member told 911 dispatchers. “Please send the cops there.” 

While no other family member was hurt, it was Scruggs own parents who contacted the Logan County Sheriff directly about his whereabouts. 

Scruggs is a familiar face at the Logan County Detention Center after spending time incarcerated. During that time, the Logan County Sheriff said Scruggs was highly regarded. 

“This is one of those situations where you take a guy that normally (has) docile behavior, do anything for anybody, extremely helpful and they get under the influence of something and they are completely unpredictable,” said Logan County Sheriff Damon Devereaux. 

A new year brings a new pain for a family struggling to make sense of it all. 

“Michael Cole is his name, and he didn’t deserve to die,” the family member told 911 dispatchers. “There is no reason for him to be dead. There is not one reason. He is a good man. He didn’t do nothing to nobody.” 

Scruggs will remain behind bars at the Logan County Detention Center where he’ll soon face a judge.