Family, Friends Offer $3K Reward in Cartersville Car Wash Slaying

Family and friends of R.J. Statler, the Cartersville man shot and killed Sunday night at Sun Glo Car Wash, are offering a collective $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible.

Word of the reward, which began at $1,000, came as Statler's family and friends gathered to honor the Canton native and 2002 graduate of nearby Cherokee High.

Statler's uncle, Rennie Statler, confirmed the reward had grown to $3,000 and said the family is "just devastated" when asked how they're coping with the loss.

"There’s no real words to answer that. As we saw on the Patch, the vigil it showed, at least 150 people came out," he said. "This kid was cleaning his car and someone came up behind him and shot him in the back of the head.

"No rhyme or reason why. He didn’t hurt anyone. He didn’t know how to hurt anyone. He had his life taken away from him and our family is trying to deal with it."

As friends posted around Cartersville flyers announcing the reward, police tonight reached out to the public for help, urging anyone with information on the case to call the department at 770-382-2526.

"All leads are being investigated. Over 30 officers from various agencies have been involved to one extent or another in trying to solve this tragic incident. This is the number one priority right now for the department. The help of the community is greatly appreciated. Our sympathies go out to the victim's family and friends," Cartersville Police Department officials posted on the department's Facebook page.

Police today interviewed a "person of interest," who is not a suspect, Capt. Mark Camp said in an email update. He added that officers are analyzing videos, cell phone records and other evidence.

"[R.J.'s] going to be greatly missed by his father, sister and family," Rennie Statler said. "R.J. was so proud of everything they did and his father is just devastated he’s been taken from us, the whole family is.”

If you have any information that could help resolve the case, call police at 770-382-2526.

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