A 50-year-old Alabama murder suspect wanted for a Dec. 11, 2024, homicide in Tuscaloosa County was arrested in Kent last week after detectives received a tip that he was hiding in the city.
Detective Sergeant Johnson of the Kent Police Department (KPD) conducted reconnaissance and confirmed the suspect had a warrant for homicide issued by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) for the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Cornelis Smith.
Sgt. Johnson determined the suspect and his girlfriend were staying at a hotel in the 22500 block of 83rd Avenue S. He coordinated with Sergeant Goforth and the KPD Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) to verify the suspect’s presence and execute the arrest.
As officers arrived, CRU Officer Steiner spotted the suspect standing outside the hotel. When the man noticed patrol vehicles entering the lot, he attempted to walk away but was quickly detained without incident.
“With so many officers on the scene, and K9 Frank visible, this was a wise course of action,” the department noted in a statement.
The suspect was booked into King County Jail under a Fugitive from Justice warrant, allowing him to be held until extradition back to Alabama.
“It’s important to manage resources and get the right people in the right places when dealing with suspects as dangerous as murderers,” police said. “Sgt. Johnson did a great job vetting this tip to create actionable intelligence. Our CRU team approached with the right numbers, safe tactics, and good teamwork.”
