A man accused of killing two women in Mississippi and shooting three other people in two other states is awaiting extradition.
Alex Deaton, 28, was arrested in Kansas last week after a nationwide manhunt. He was charged in Ellsworth County, Kansas for attempted first-degree murder in the shooting of a convenience store clerk. According to authorities, Deaton stole the man’s car before leading troopers on a high-speed chase that ended in a fiery crash and Deaton’s arrest.
The nationwide manhunt was launched Feb. 24, after Heather Robinson, who was Deaton’s girlfriend, was found dead in her Rankin County apartment. According to authorities, Deaton is believed to have strangled his girlfriend, have stolen her SUV and then have driven it to Neshoba County where he is charged with the shooting death of a woman at a church in the Dixon community. Deaton was also charged with a shooting that injured a jogger in Rankin County.
Brenda Strickland Pinter, 69, was found dead by her husband inside Dixon Baptist Church, located on Hwy. 21 South. An SUV matching the one stolen by Deaton was seen on security footage in the church parking lot and was the only vehicle in the lot until Pinter’s husband arrived.
Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey told reporters that Kansas authorities have agreed to hand over Deaton, 28.
Bailey says Deaton sent a series of texts, some incriminating, to friends and family before he went silent Saturday. He resurfaced Tuesday, with New Mexico authorities saying he carjacked and briefly abducted two hikers. Deaton is also charged with aggravated robbery, theft and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. He is being held on $5 million bond.
