News 12 First at Five; September 8, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga. --- 42-year-old Earl Dinkins, the man wanted for killing his ex-girlfriend Sirlinda Price, is still on the run. Meanwhile, Sirlinda's two-year-old is left without a mother and her boyfriend is in the hospital.

"She was a very nice person," said Michael Westbrook. "I don't see why someone would want to do that to her." Westbrook says he knew Sirlinda for about 5 years. "She was a real nice person."

People who knew Dinkins says he was in the Army reserves and worked with weapons ranging from handguns to missile launchers.

Investigators say Dinkins, a McCormick County Correction Institute corrections officer, was angry that Sirlinda was not returning his phone calls. We're told Sirlinda's boyfriend was shot once in the back and is in stable condition in the hospital.

Investigators tell News 12 they talked with Dinkins just hours after the murder, but now they have no idea where he is. They say Dinkins was not spotted in Oglethorpe County and they have no reason to believe he is there.

Lt. Scott Peebles says Dinkins is dangerous, and they think, if engaged, he might fight with a law enforcement officer.

News 12 visited Dinkins' home today. Someone went to check the mail, but they didn't stop to talk to us.

It's all left a neighborhood reeling and a two-year-old without a mom.

"It just really is (Sirlinda's) smile," Westbrook said. "She kept a smile on her face no matter what.

"She loved to talk. Just like any other person trying to live life."

According to the RCSO news release, Dinkins is believed to be traveling in a black 1997 GMC Jimmy with a Georgia Retired Army tag, number RA4511. If you know where he is, call the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1080. He is considered armed and dangerous.