A man from Ohio was arrested in Texas for being a homicide suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred in Kent, Ohio, on September 18, 2023. The man, identified as 32-year-old James Smith, was wanted by the Kent Police Department for allegedly killing a 28-year-old woman named Jessica Duprey on September 17, 2023.
According to the Kent Police Department, Smith and Duprey were involved in a domestic dispute at their home on West Main Street around 10:30 p.m. on September 17, 2023. During the argument, Smith shot Duprey multiple times and then fled the scene in his car. Duprey was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The police launched a manhunt for Smith and issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of aggravated murder, murder, domestic violence, and obstructing justice. The police also asked anyone with information about Smith’s whereabouts to contact them at (330) 674-1234.
On September 19, 2023, around 11:00 p.m., Smith was spotted by a Texas state trooper near Interstate 45 near Houston. The trooper attempted to stop Smith’s car but Smith refused to comply and continued driving southbound. The trooper then pursued Smith’s car for about two miles until he lost sight of him.
The trooper reported the incident to his supervisor and requested assistance from other law enforcement agencies. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) joined the pursuit and coordinated with other local agencies to locate Smith’s car.
Around midnight, Smith’s car was found abandoned on a rural road near Cypress Creek Road in Harris County. The DPS surrounded the area and searched for Smith using helicopters and dogs. After several hours of searching, they found Smith hiding inside a barn about half a mile away from his car.
Smith was taken into custody without incident and transported to Harris County Jail. He is currently being held without bond pending extradition to Ohio. He is expected to face trial in Kent County Court.
The cause of the mill fire that occurred on September 18, 2023 at Milliken Mills Inc., a paper manufacturing company located on West Main Street in Kent, Ohio, is still under investigation by the Kent Fire Department (KFD). The fire started around noon and quickly spread throughout the building due to strong winds and dry conditions.