An Alabama man has been apprehended for the alleged fatal shooting of a University of Alabama student, a father of three, and his dog. Dekendrick Crawford, 24, was discovered hiding in an attic shortly after the victims were found inside a residence. The events unfolded on July 6 when authorities began their investigation after the homeowner, currently abroad, became worried about not being able to reach Jose Felix Alvarez-Duenas, who was tasked with house-sitting and taking care of the dog.
Authorities later identified the victims as Jazmine Alexis Bates, 22, and Alvarez-Duenas, 31. Both were found shot to death, with Alvarez-Duenas located at the front door and Bates in a closet. The homeowner’s dog also suffered the same fate. Investigators noted that these individuals were acquainted due to shared employment at local establishments, and Crawford had also previously worked there.
Police were led to Crawford through doorbell camera footage and other evidence, eventually tracing him to a relative’s apartment. When officers arrived, Crawford had barricaded himself inside, causing a tense standoff with law enforcement. After some time, he was found hiding in the attic approximately ten hours post-discovery of the bodies.
Crawford faces charges of capital murder involving multiple individuals and discharging a firearm into an occupied building. Interestingly, he was already wanted for an unrelated felony warrant from a previous incident where he allegedly fired gunshots into an office building near the University of Alabama following his dismissal from a contract job.
The tragic incident has left a significant impact on the community, particularly among friends and colleagues of the victims. The restaurant where Bates and Alvarez-Duenas worked expressed their grief, highlighting their close relationships with both individuals and acknowledging their integral roles in the workplace.
Bates was due to graduate in December and was remembered fondly as someone with big dreams and a warm spirit. Alvarez-Duenas was described as a devoted father who cherished his three children. Following the incident, the University of Alabama expressed condolences and offered support to those affected, while a GoFundMe page was initiated to assist the victims’ families.
