Final West Point murder suspect apprehended

Published 11:26 am Tuesday, August 21, 2018

VALLEY — The final suspect being sought in connection with a West Point murder was arrested Tuesday, Aug. 21.

Trent Murphy, 24, of West Point was arrested at approximately 7 a.m. Tuesday at the Verandas phase of the Venue Apartment Complex in Valley. Murphy was charged with the June 13 murder of Reggie Pearson, according to a West Point press release.

“Over the past seven days, during this time frame we have been getting hit-and-miss information on his whereabouts,” said West Point Captain Robert Fawley. “We were able to confirm his location this morning and the Gulf Coast Regional Task Force went to the Venue Apartments and located him at a relatives’ apartment.”

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Murphy reportedly surrendered himself to authorities after they developed information revealing his location and entered the relative’s apartment.

“The subject refused to come to the door so they breached the door and arrested him without incident,” Valley Police Chief Tommy Weldon said.

His arrest comes after a several-month-long investigation effort by multiple law enforcement agencies.

“For the past 60 days we have been working with both [United States] Marshall Services, both South East Regional [Fugitive Task Force] and Gulf Coast Regional [Fugitive Task Force] trying to locate him,” Fawley said.

Fawley said that officers from the Gulf Coast Regional Task Force and Valley Police department made the arrest. Murphy is now being held at the Chambers County Jail.

According to the West Point press release, the murder of Reggie Pearson is still an ongoing investigation and the West Point Police Department is asking anyone who may have information in regards to this incident or any other criminal activity to contact the West Point Police Department at (706)-645-3525 or (706)-645-3548, and your local law enforcement agency or local “Crime Stoppers” at (706)-812-1000.