A man suspected in the Sunday-night shooting death of an Ensley woman and the robberies of two other people was captured at an east Birmingham motel.
Police have not yet released the suspect's name pending formal charges. The Birmingham Police Department's Crime Reduction Team received information the suspect was at the Sky Inn on First Avenue North, said Sgt. Johnny Williams.
When they arrived at the motel and made entry into the room, the suspect fled to the back of the motel in an overgrown grassy area. He tripped and fell during his getaway attempt and his gun discharged one time. No one was injured.
Officers were able to handcuff the suspect and take him into custody without further incident. As he was being led to a patrol car for transportation to police headquarters, the suspect told AL.com he was being arrested for a traffic ticket.
The capture comes after what police described as a crime spree in the west Birmingham community on Sunday.
Birmingham police Sgt. Bryan Shelton said it all began at 5:45 p.m. Sunday when the unknown suspect forced his way into an apartment at 2012 Avenue J. The victim, a woman believed to be in her 50s, was shot in the torso.
From that apartment complex, Shelton said, the suspect went to Dollar General at 2007 Avenue H and tried to rob someone of a car but failed. Then he went to the gas station across the street from the Dollar General and stole a vehicle from a woman.
Store workers said the carjacking was caught on store surveillance video which has already been obtained by police. He said it showed the man pulling his gun on the victim.
Williams said they are pleased to have captured the suspect so quickly. He could not yet say what led to investigators identifying him as the possible shooter.
"We believe he's very dangerous,'' Williams said. "It's great to have him off the streets."