Georgia murder suspect arrested following standoff at Virginia Beach hotel

VIRGINIA BEACH -- After an 8 hour standoff at an Oceanfront hotel, police have the suspect in custody.

Earl Dinkins, a former correctional officer wanted for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, according to WJBF-TV in Augusta, Georgia. Va. Beach police confirmed the identity about just before noon.

Dinkins barricaded himself in a third floor room at Days Inn in the 1000 block of Atlantic Aveune along the Virginia Beach Oeanfront in the early morning hours.

Four blocks were closed to traffic and pedestrians at Atlantic and Pacific avenues between 9th and 12th streets during the standoff.

“He has clear view of Atlantic and clear view of Pacific from the balcony. If he were to come on the balcony and start firing weapons, we don't want the public in harm’s way,” said police spokesman MPO Adam Bernstein.

Police originally went to the hotel to execute a fugitive from justice warrant after officers on bike patrol located Dinkins' vehicle in the parking lot around 11:15 p.m. Thursday.

Negotiators called the suspect on the phone around 3:00, initially he said he would come out, then he hung up.  Officers used a bull horn to convince him to talk with them on the phone.

At some point police re-established conversations, but he remained inside his hotel room.

Shortly before 10:30 a.m., officers made arrangements with Dinkins to peacefully surrender.  Within minutes, he walked out of the hotel room with his hands up and was taken into custody without incident, police stated.  

According to WJBF-TV, Dinkins, 42, also shot the woman's boyfriend on Sunday, who remains in the hospital.

Dinkins faces charges in Georgia of murder, aggravated assault, burglary and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. No charges have been placed in Va. Beach.

He's being held without bond at the Va. Beach City Jail and he's refused a 13News request for an interview.

An extradition hearing has not been set.