Suspect Captured In Attic Crawlspace After University Of Alabama Student, Friend, And Dog Found Shot To Death In Brookwood

BROOKWOOD, Ala. - A 24-year-old man faces capital murder charges after a University of Alabama student, her friend, and a family pet were found shot to death inside a Brookwood home on Monday, July 6, 2026. The Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit arrested De'Kendrick Crawford, 24, on a capital murder warrant on Tuesday after a tense, hours-long tactical standoff in Northport.

Crawford is being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond.

Discovery and Investigation

Brookwood Police discovered the scene around 1:00 p.m. Monday following a welfare check requested by a homeowner who saw a suspicious person on doorbell cameras, according to local reports.

Victims: Jose Felix Alvarez-Duenas, age 31 and a father of three, was found near the entrance, and University of Alabama student Jazmine Alexis Bates, 22, was located in a closet; both died of gunshot wounds. The homeowner's dog was also killed.

Suspect Identification:

Evidence and surveillance footage led police to identify Crawford, who had an outstanding felony warrant from a May 2026 campus shooting.

Standoff and Arrest

Authorities tracked Crawford to a Northport apartment complex, resulting in a four-hour standoff involving multiple law enforcement agencies, according to officials. Tactical teams eventually extracted him from an attic crawlspace, as reported by media sources.

Motive and Next Steps

While a connection existed between the suspect and victims, police state the motive remains unknown. Crawford, who has invoked his right to silence, faces further charges regarding the animal's death and a stolen vehicle.

Note: The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.