Deputy Shooting Suspect Veasna Johnathan Bun to Face Judge

JONESBORO, Ga. - The suspect held in connection to the shooting death of a Clayton County deputy is expected to make a court appearance on Friday. Late Wednesday afteoon, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations obtained warrants to formally charge Veasna Jonathan Bun, 17, in his death.

Bun was already set to face a judge in Clayton County on charges of aggravated assault and armed robbery stemming from a January 2011 robbery. The warrants issued by the GBI charge Bun with one count each of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of firearm during the commission of a crime.

Clayton County Deputy Richard "Ricky" Joseph Daly, 55, was killed in the line of duty on Wednesday. Bun was arrested after a six-hour manhunt that went on well into the evening.

Clayton County Deputy Richard "Ricky" Joseph Daly, 55, was killed in the line of duty on Wednesday, July, 20.

"Deputy Daly walked up to passenger side, Mr. Bun got out and began firing his weapon striking deputy daily twice," said Kimbrough.

Deputy Daly was wearing a vest, but that wasn’t enough to stop the two bullets that ultimately claimed his life.

Bun took off running and a massive manhunt ensued, with officers from a dozen agencies searching the area from the ground and the air. Six hours later, Bun was found hiding in the woods.

"One of the fugitive squad officers followed bun into the wood line. As more units arrived they tightened the perimeter and did a sweep and eventually walked right into him," said Kimbrough.

FOX 5 obtained court documents that say that in the five months between Bun’s arrest on those armed robbery charges and the time of Deputy Daly’s shooting death, police came in contact with Bun again. On May 15, court records show he was caught smoking pot with another teen in a house where neither of them lived. He was ticketed, but he was not arrested because he was not identified as the suspect in the armed robbery.

On July 5, police came to Bun’s family’s apartment looking for him. His father identified him as being the person seen in surveillance photos from the armed robbery, and an arrest warrant was issued the next day, court records say. However, police didn’t catch up with Bun until Wednesday night when he was caught following Deputy Daly’s death.

Clayton County Schools officials say Bun is a former student in the district, but they weren’t able to release other details because of privacy laws.

Meanwhile, law enforcement officers across the state are mouing the loss of Deputy Daly.

"It's a shame that those who love life and are willing to put their lives on their line have to suffer this sort of fate," said Clayton County Sheriff Kem Kimbrough.

Daly spent more than 20 years in law enforcement. He was killed while he was trying to assist the fugitive squad with Bun’s arrest. Bun was wanted on aggravated assault and armed robbery charges stemming from a January 2011 incident in Forest Park where he allegedly robbed a store, getting away with $200.

While the search and apprehension was underway, friends and law enforcement from across the state raced to the hospital to be with Daly's family. Officers who knew Daly say he was always smiling, and he was very positive person who was always willing to help those in need. During his 25 years in law enforcement, Daly worked for the Clayton County Police, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, and most recently with the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office.

"I can't say enough about the solidarity. It feels good to know that when you're down and hurt you have someone stand behind you," said Kimbrough.

"I can't believe someone would be that devilish that's evil to shoot someone like that," said friend Max Jordan.

Daly is the first Clayton County deputy to be killed in the line of duty. He is from Pike County. During his career, he worked for the Clayton County Police Department, the Pike County Sheriff's Office, and most recently the Clayton County Sheriff's Office.

According to the Pike County Joual, Daly was a resident of Zebulon, Georgia.

"We can't find the words and the reasons for why these things happen. We can place that in the hands of a higher power and move on. If anything, we will lea lessons and grow stronger from this loss," said Kimbrough.

The Clayton County Sheriff’s Department says funeral services will be held for Deputy Ricky Daly next Thursday. Visitation is planned for next Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Tara Gardens Chapel in Jonesboro.

Bun, of Riverdale, was in Southe Regional Hospital for a brief period after his arrest. He had numerous dog bites from a K-9 unit that assisted in his apprehension. He was released from the hospital early Thursday moing and transferred to the Henry County Jail.