A local man has been charged with first degree murder after he allegedly beat an elderly man to death with a floor lamp.

The suspect, Julian Douglas Gilliam, 52, remains held without bond and is set to appear in Coffee County General Sessions Court March 30 at 9 a.m. Investigators arrested him two days after the crime, reportedly still wearing the blood-splattered shoes he wore at the time of the crime.

The victim was Robert Alexander, 79, who was a resident of Franklin Place Apartments. They have also not revealed a suspected motive for the grisly crime. As far as how the murder was committed, lawmen believe Gilliam used a floor lamp with a concrete base to pummel the elderly man, striking him in the head. They believe Gilliam then fled the scene of the crime, leaving the victim to die – which he did later at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.

Gilliam was made the prime suspect thanks to security video which showed him going to another apartment after allegedly committing the crime. Investigators noted seeing redbrown stains on his pants in the video which they think will turn out to be the victim’s blood.

Gilliam was picked up two days after the crime while walking along Jackson Street. When questioned, Gilliam refused to cooperate and requested an attorney. However, during the interview, lawmen noticed stains on his shoes and black jacket which they suspect will match up to that of the victim.