Following a daylong search, Gainesville Police arrested a man Sunday after it was reported that he shot and killed his pregnant ex-girlfriend.
Officers arrested 33-year-old Alvin G. Thomas at Budget Inn, 4401 SW 13th St., at about 7 p.m. Sunday, said GPD spokesman Officer Ben Tobias in a news release.
A little more than 24 hours earlier, witnesses said they saw Thomas arguing with Caitlin A. Albritton, the mother of his 9-month-old daughter, at the Village Green Apartments, Tobias said.
Police responded to the complex, 3101 NE 15th St., after receiving calls that the 22-year-old had been shot.
Albritton was six weeks pregnant and died at the scene from a single bullet wound to her head, Tobias said. The pair’s daughter is now safe with Albritton’s family.
Thomas then drove from the complex in a silver pickup truck, Tobias said.
Police received multiple leads that officers followed to the Budget Inn. GPD investigators, with the help of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the North Florida Fugitive Task Force, watched the hotel until they discovered he was staying in a room there, Tobias said.
Officials called him outside, where he was arrested without incident on charges of murder, armed burglary and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
As of Sunday night, GPD investigators were still interviewing him about the incident.
As of press time, he was on track to be booked into the Alachua County Jail.
Thomas has an extensive criminal history, including charges of drug possession, assault and burglary, according to court records.
The cause of the shooting has not yet been determined as of press time, but police are working to bring closure to Albritton’s relatives.
“With local law enforcement and the public coming together as one force, we are now one step closer to justice for the family of Caitlin Albritton,” Tobias said. “The thoughts and prayers of the entire Gainesville Police Department remain with Caitlin Albritton’s family tonight.”
GPD handled a similar case after it was reported 26-year-old Larry Whitehead shot and killed Samuel Hamilton in July. Whitehead ran from the police until mid-September, when officials arrested him in Virginia.
A version of this story ran on page 1 on 11/18/2013 under the headline "Man jailed for Saturday murder"
