Authorities arrested three suspects in the shooting death of Markese Mahone, a Macon-area rapper who was killed early Friday morning at a Days Inn just outside Hinesville city limits.

Liberty County Sheriff Steve Sikes said in a Sunday morning press conference outside the courthouse in downtown Hinesville that deputies arrested James Stump, 20, of Hinesville; and Julous Mathenia, 22, and Derrick Harvey, 19, both of Long County.

The men have been charged with criminal attempt to commit armed robbery; however, Sikes said he expects the charges to be elevated to murder once he confers with Atlantic Judicial Circuit District Attorney Tom Durden sometime Monday.

Sikes said Mahone was rumored to have been carrying cash and was targeted for an armed robbery at the Days Inn, where he was staying. Mahone was shot once near his left shoulder.

Sikes said Mathenia reportedly was the driver and was not at the scene at the time of the shooting, but under Georgia law, he will be charged like the others.