An Alabama murder suspect who fled to Robeson County is in custody – and his children are safe – and a Columbus County Sheriff’s Captain is being credited with playing a “key role.”
The CCSO said in a press release that the captain, whose name was not immediately released, was contacted at 5:30 a.m. on Oct. 3. A caller said that Mason Thomas Parnell of Winfield, Ala. had killed his wife and kidnapped their children and a family member.
The captain, who has undergone training in crisis intervention and negotiation, made contact with Parnell and the suspect admitted to the captain what had transpired. The captain kept Parnell talking while working to get information into the hands of other agencies, the press release said.
Winfield Police, at the direction of the CCSO captain, went to the family home and discovered the woman’s body, the release said. She had been shot to death in the kitchen.
Parnell had forced another family member to drive him and the children to North Carolina, the release said. The relative escaped unharmed and contacted law enforcement. While multiple officers were trying to track down Parnell and the children, the release said the captain “continued working to ensure the safety of the children,” the release said.
Authorities eventually found Parnell at a home in Fairmont, where he was taken into custody without incident. The children were uninjured. Parnell is being held under no bond in the Robeson County Detention Center pending extradition.
“This is exactly why training matters,” said Sheriff Bill Rogers. “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.
“Our captain did just that. His actions set this investigation in motion. He kept Parnell talking, gained his trust, and, most importantly, worked to make sure the children were safe while law enforcement agencies moved into action,” said Rogers. “This was a coordinated effort involving law enforcement officers and investigators in both Alabama and North Carolina. I am proud of the professionalism shown by our captain and grateful to every agency that responded and helped to bring this situation to a safe conclusion.”
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