Alabama Student and Friend Were Found Shot Dead Alongside Dog. Suspect Was Hiding in Attic: Cops

In a tragic incident on July 6, 2023, a University of Alabama student, Jazmine Alexis Bates, 22, and a 31-year-old father, Jose Felix Alvarez-Duenas, were shot and killed in a case that has shocked the local community. The police have identified the suspect, De’Kendrick Crawford, 24, who has been arrested and charged with capital murder following a brief standoff.

The grim events unfolded when a woman, who had asked Alvarez-Duenas to house-sit and care for her dog while she was away, became worried after she failed to reach him. Concern escalated after she reviewed her doorbell camera footage, which showed an unidentified person outside her home in the early hours of July 6. Acting on her anxiety, she contacted her landlord to request a welfare check.

When officers arrived at the residence later that day, they discovered Alvarez-Duenas’s body at the threshold of the front door. Jazmine Bates was found deceased in a bedroom closet, while their dog had also been shot and killed. Both victims had suffered gunshot wounds.

Crawford was reportedly tracked down by police to a location in Northport, where he attempted to hide in an attic. Following a standoff lasting several hours, he surrendered to law enforcement, who discovered him in the confined space. Crawford allegedly has a history of violence, including an outstanding felony warrant for a previous incident involving gunfire at an occupied building near the University of Alabama.

The relationship between the victims and the suspect deepened the tragedy. Both Bates and Alvarez-Duenas were familiar with the homeowner, which adds a layer of complexity to this already heartbreaking situation. Bates was visiting Alvarez-Duenas while he was pet-sitting, as the pair were known to work together.

At Crawford’s initial court hearing held on July 8, his request for bail was denied by the presiding judge. He remains incarcerated at the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Jail as he awaits further legal proceedings.

The local community has been rocked by the loss of Bates and Alvarez-Duenas. Buffalo Phil’s Wings, a restaurant where both were employed, expressed its sorrow in a heartfelt social media post. The establishment described them as beloved members of their “work family,” emphasising the impact of their loss on colleagues and patrons alike. Alvarez-Duenas was praised as a devoted father to three children, with the restaurant noting that nothing brought him more joy than his role as their dad. Bates, originally from Chicago, was on the cusp of graduating with aspirations of a bright future.

In light of the financial burdens that often accompany such tragedies, family and friends have initiated GoFundMe campaigns to assist with funeral expenses for Bates and to provide support for Alvarez-Duenas’s children. These community-driven efforts reflect a collective desire to honour their memories and aid those left behind.

Investigations into the incident continue, and with the community still in mourning, many are left grappling with the questions surrounding such senseless violence. As Bates’s loved ones remember her vibrant spirit, and Alvarez-Duenas’s family seeks stability for his children, the incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals in everyday circumstances.

Crawford’s public defender has yet to comment on the ongoing case, leaving many waiting for further details. The forthcoming court appearances and the community’s response will likely shape how this tragic incident is remembered and addressed in the months ahead.

In the meantime, the call for justice echoes through Tuscaloosa, as the families and friends of the victims come to terms with their profound loss amidst expressions of love and remembrance from friends, colleagues, and the wider community.