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Suspect in downtown Sacramento shooting that killed football coach arrested in North Carolina

Parents of slain Sacramento football coach "elated" after suspected killer's arrest
Parents of slain Sacramento football coach "elated" after suspected killer's arrest 02:54

SACRAMENTO – The suspect wanted for the killing of a Sacramento high school football coach has now been arrested.

Tahje Michael was identified as the suspect in the 2022 murder of Greg "Najee" Grimes, who was gunned down outside a Downtown Sacramento nightclub.

To try and find Michael, Sacramento police partnered with the TV show "America's Most Wanted" back in January.

On Tuesday, Sacramento police announced that Michael had been arrested in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

"Today's apprehension underscores the unwavering commitment of law enforcement to pursue justice," said Chief Kathy Lester, Sacramento's Chief of Police, in a statement.

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Greg "Najee" Grimes was a coach at Inderkum High School.  Reginald Harris/Family

The Grimes family prayed for this news for 19 months.

"In the last few hours, we've been up and down," Greg's mother Deobrah Grimes said Tuesday following the news of the arrest. "We've been elated."

The roller coaster of emotions was shared with us since day one. Greg's parents let us in to keep his name and the search for his killer in the headlines.

"The work begins now, but at this point, we're celebrating," Deborah Grimes said.

Grimes was 31 when he was killed. He was a former Boise State football player and worked as a football coach at Inderkum High School. 

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