Birmingham Police Arrest Man Suspected of Killing Police Sergeant

| February 14, 2019 

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The man suspected of killing Birmingham Police Sgt. Wytasha Carter last month was arrested Thursday as he was released from rehab.

Jeremy Owens, 31, had been in medical facilities since Jan. 13. He was wounded the same night police say he shot and killed Sgt. Carter. Officer Lucas Allums was also shot in the incident. He and Sgt. Carter were investigating vehicle burglaries near a downtown club when they encountered Owens and another man, police say.

Owens was charged with capital murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith announced the arrest at the North Precinct, standing beneath a sign that reads: “Rule #1. Everyone goes home.”

Smith said officers placed Sgt. Carter’s handcuffs on Owens to take him in.

“I only thought that it was fitting, that if this man was going to jail, we’re going to use Sgt. Carter’s handcuffs,” Smith said.

Carter was 44. He had served at the Birmingham Police Department since 2011. In addition to his work as a sergeant in the North Precinct, he worked previously as an officer in the West Precinct and as a school resource officer.

Later Thursday, police arrested 18-year-old Michael Todd in connection with the incident. Todd was charged with receiving stolen property and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Smith applauded the investigation by Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr and his staff.  He said Carr assembled all of the pieces to ensure a thorough investigation.

 

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