Columbus County captain helps lead authorities to Alabama murder suspect in Robeson County
ROBESON COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — An Alabama man accused of killing his wife and fleeing the state with two children was arrested in Robeson County after authorities say a Columbus County Sheriff’s Office captain helped set a multi-state investigation in motion.
According to the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, a captain was contacted around 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, regarding 22-year-old Mason Thomas Parnell of Winfield, Alabama.
The Sheriff’s Office says Parnell told the captain that he had killed his wife and fled Alabama with two children.
Authorities say the captain, who has training in crisis communication and negotiation, kept Parnell talking while working to get the information to other law enforcement agencies.
The communication led authorities in Alabama to respond to a home in the 600 block of Tahoe Road in Winfield, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Police found a woman dead with gunshot injuries in the kitchen of the home.
Investigators allege Parnell left the home with two children and forced another family member at gunpoint to drive him and the children to North Carolina.
The family member was able to safely escape before reaching Parnell’s destination and later provided investigators with an account of what happened, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation eventually led authorities to Harrington Road in Fairmont, where deputies with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office took Parnell into custody.
The children and the family member are safe, according to authorities.
Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers credited the captain’s training with helping authorities respond to the situation.
“This is exactly why training matters. When someone is in a crisis and a situation is unfolding this quickly, you have to be able to slow things down, establish trust, and get the information you need to protect innocent people,” Rogers said.
The investigation involved the Winfield Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, investigators with Alabama’s 25th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office and Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation remains active and is being handled by authorities in Alabama.
Parnell remains in custody in Robeson County on a fugitive from justice charge while awaiting extradition to Alabama.
