Suspect charged in gas station murder turns himself in

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- The man who has been charged with killing Joshua Flinn at the Phillips 66 on Saturday has been booked into the St. Joseph County Jail.

Raymond Dotson Jr, 34, has been charged with one count of murder.

Michiana Crime Stoppers says Dotson turned himself in on Wednesday.

Jail logs indicate he was booked at 12:34 p.m.

After pictures were released of video surveillance footage, Dotson's companion came forward and spoke with police.

Dotson's friend identified Dotson as the shooter, which matched information received from other sources, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The friend told police he and Dotson had gone to a club in Elkhart, then returned to South Bend.

When they went into the gas station, the friend went to buy some cigars when he heard Dotson and a stranger, later identified as Flinn, get into a verbal altercation, reports said.

As the friend looked to Dotson, he saw both Dotson and Flinn reaching for their waists, reports said.

The friend convinced Dotson to let it go and leave the store.

Dotson exited the store and waited for Flinn. When Flinn exited the store, Dotson fired several shots at him, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Flinn fell to the ground and Dotson got into his car and drove away, reports said.

While giving Flinn CPR, officers removed a brown and black "air soft" toy gun from Flinn's pants, according to the probable cause affidavit.

Flinn’s family remember the man as a loving and caring man. Flinn's daughter Mariyah sent the following statement to ABC 57 News: 

“He was very smart very loving and SO caring !! He had his struggles but he has been doing so good lately , this summer we spent a lot of time at the lake house in Michigan. He took us all on boat rides he was a really great person & he loved to read and he wanted to become an actor one day. He loved to learn new things”

Dotson will be arrainged in court on Thursday afternoon.