UPDATE: Athens manhunt related to murder investigation, police say

Police searching for 'violent suspect' near Athens botanical gardens

ATHENS, Ga. — Police said a manhunt in Athens Wednesday afternoon was related to a murder earlier this month in Oconee County.

Police said they were searching for a suspect linked to the death of Joseph Jackson in Oconee County July 16.

Oconee County Sheriff Scott Berry said in a press release Wednesday that two other suspects, Akhemu Dunston and Quentin Dunston, have already been arrested in connection with Jackson's murder.

The third suspect is not being identified by police.

Police said they spotted a car related to the third suspect near the state botanical gardens Wednesday afternoon. Police later determined the car was being driven by a family member of the suspect, who wasn't in the vehicle.

The University of Georgia sent an alert out to students Wednesday afternoon saying they were searching for a suspect near the gardens on South Milledge Avenue and urging people to avoid the area.

Officials later said the "danger is over" and there is no ongoing threat to the community.

NewsChopper 2 was over Athens, where multiple law enforcement vehicles were lined up along the road outside the gardens.