Amarillo police: Suspects identified in 3 homicides

Excerpt

Potter-Randall Special Crimes Unit investigators on Tuesday released the names and photos of three suspects connected to recent Amarillo homicides.
Anthony Dewayne Campbell, 37, Tyrone Dawayne "K.R…

Potter-Randall Special Crimes Unit investigators on Tuesday released the names and photos of three suspects connected to recent Amarillo homicides.

Anthony Dewayne Campbell, 37, Tyrone Dawayne "K.R." Black, 22, and Jose Miguel Hernandez, 21, are being sought by police in connection with the deaths of three men, Sgt. Jason Riddlespurger said.

Riddlespurger identified Campbell as a suspect in an aggravated assault that led to the death of Michael Todd Williams, 47, who was found lying unconscious at 8:34 p.m. Oct. 16 in a parking lot at 3001 E. Amarillo Blvd.

Williams had been knocked unconscious by a blow to the face, Riddlespurger said. He was treated for a brain injury and released from the hospital Oct. 21, but returned four days later.

Williams died in the hospital on the morning of Oct. 26; an autopsy showed he had succumbed to pneumonia caused by blunt force trauma to his upper body, police said.

Investigators working the case have issued a warrant for Campbell's arrest on charges of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury but have been unable to find him, Riddlespurger said.

Authorities think Campbell could still be in Amarillo, where he frequently stays in motels along Amarillo Boulevard, Riddlespurger said.

Campbell is also wanted on a charge of burglary of a motor vehicle out of Potter County, Riddlespurger said.

Police are also looking for Black, who is wanted on murder charges in connection with the death of Eric Ontario Smith Jr., 19, after Smith was shot in the back of the head Sunday morning outside Paradise Club, 714 N. Fillmore St., police said.

Witnesses told police Black approached Smith in the parking lot and fired a gun at Ontario, police said, and then fled the scene before officers arrived.

Smith was taken by private car to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

Black is well connected in Amarillo and outside the area, Riddlespurger said. He could still be in the city, but has family connections in his hometown of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and to Lubbock and California, police said.

Despite checking multiple locations night and day, authorities have been unable to locate him, Riddlespurger said.

Hernandez is wanted in connection to an unrelated Sunday homicide that occurred about 9 p.m. at a house at 1621 N. Garfield St.

When officers arrived at the home they found Sal Ramirez, 23, had been stabbed in the head.

Witnesses to the attack told officers Hernandez had stabbed Ramirez and then fled on foot, police said. Witnesses said there was no obvious reason for the attack.

"This case (is) particularly of interest because our victim was not provoking anything," Riddlespurger said. "There was no kind of a disagreement that was happening. … The motive for this instance is known only to our suspect."

Ramirez was taken to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries, police said.

Authorities do not think Hernandez has access to a vehicle and are continuing to search for him in the Amarillo area.

Residents should never try to apprehend a fugitive by themselves, Riddlespurger said.

"Especially on these individuals," Riddlespurger said. "We consider all of them to be very dangerous due to the crimes that have occurred. We urge you to contact 911 and let us go handle this and let us be the ones that make contact with these people."

Police are asking anyone with information on any of the above contact the Amarillo Police Department or Amarillo Crime Stoppers at 806-378-4400