HORRIFYING SCENES… – A University of Alabama student, a friend, and a family dog were all found d-e:ad inside a home where the friend had been pet-sitting, according to police. Investigators are now working to determine what led to the tragic discovery as loved ones struggle to come to terms with the heartbreaking loss.
BROOKWOOD, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) — A University of Alabama student, her friend and a dog were found shot and killed at a home where the friend was dog-sitting.
The victims have been identified as Jose Felix Alvarez-Duenas, 31, and Jazmine Alexis Bates, 22. Bates was a student at the University of Alabama.
Brookwood police were called to perform a welfare check at a home on July 6.
A woman who lived at the home was out of town, and Alvarez-Duenas was housesitting and watching the woman’s dog, authorities said.
After not being able to contact Alvarez-Duenas for some time, police said the woman checked her security cameras and saw a suspect acting suspiciously on her back porch in the early morning hours of July 6.
The woman then contacted her landlord, who requested that police perform a welfare check.
As soon as officers opened the front door, they found the body of Alvarez-Duenas. Bates’ body was found in a bedroom closet. Both victims had been shot. The dog was also found shot and killed.
Investigators were able to use the doorbell camera video to identify the suspect as De’Kendrick Crawford, 24.
Based on the video and other physical evidence found at the scene, officials issued a warrant for capital murder.
Suspect’s arrest
Within hours, Crawford was located at a relative’s apartment. Police said Crawford refused to exit, and law enforcement breached the building. Officers found Crawford hiding in the attic.
He was taken into custody about 10 hours after the victims’ bodies were discovered.
De’Kendrick Crawford, 24, was identified as the suspect.(Tuscaloosa County Jail)
There is no known motive for the alleged murders. Capt. Jack Kennedy of the Violent Crimes Unit said there was no known reason why the victims were targeted.
“This individual here is responsible for what he did. No one did anything incorrect to cause this,” Kennedy said at a press conference Tuesday. “We don’t know why he targeted them. They were not doing anything wrong. They had done nothing wrong to him. None of his acquaintances know why this occurred.”
Multiple other charges will be added as the investigation continues, officials said.
Suspect had outstanding warrants
Crawford had an outstanding felony warrant for shooting into an occupied building from May 2026.
In that incident, Crawford was fired from a contract job on the University of Alabama campus. As he drove away, Crawford fired a gun several times, and bullets struck an occupied office building.
Warrants had been obtained in that case. Police said Crawford was actively running from law enforcement, who had diligently been searching for him.
University of Alabama offers support for students
In a statement, the University of Alabama said counseling and support resources are available to students and staff following Bates’ death.
“We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Jazmine Bates after this tragedy. UA staff have contacted her family to offer support,” the university said.
