Updated Media Release Incident: Homicide

Incident Date & Time: May 21, 2012 @ 15:10 pm Location: Update: 400 Block of Snow Street and 300 Block of West 22nd Street, Kannapolis Based off information provided by a Crime Stoppers call in, Mr. Darius Jamal Smotherson, 2209 Glendale Avenue, Kannapolis has been arrested pertaining to his involvement in the incident that resulted in the death of Mr. Daniel Cooper. He was arrested without incident by the Maryland State Police Apprehension Team.

Members of our Felony Investigation Unit along with other local, State and Federal agencies have been working meticulously to locate this suspect. The CMPD Violent Criminal Apprehension Team and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force provided invaluable assets and assistance which led to a successful resolution. His arrest would not have been accomplished without their expertise and perseverance. Our agency would also like to thank the Maryland State Police Apprehension Team and assigned agencies for their assistance in the capture of Mr. Smotherson in the Maryland area. Kannapolis Police requests anyone with additional information regarding this incident to call 704-920-4000 or Crime Stoppers at 704-932-7463. A reward is available for anyone providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of other suspect(s) which may have been involved with this incident. The public can also post or direct message our agency on our social media sites, @kannapolis911 on Twitter or Kannapolis911 on Facebook. For additional information or questions, please contact Lieutenant Terry L. Spry at 704.920.4071 / tspry@cityofkannapolis.com. Attached is the media release from the Maryland State Police.

Patty / Update #8

NEWS RELEASE
MARYLAND STATE POLICE
HEADQUARTERS: PIKESVILLE, MD 21208 (410)486-3101 or 1-800-525-5555 Hearing Impaired TTY (410)486-0677 www.mdsp.org www.youtube.com/Maryland State Police www.facebook.com/MarylandStatePolice FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2012 NORTH CAROLINA MURDER FUGITIVE FOUND ON NORTHBOUND BUS (LAUREL, MD) An allied law enforcement fugitive team, working with North Carolina law enforcement authorities, located and arrested a suspect wanted for murder who was on a bus headed into the region. The accused is identified as Darius J. Smotherson, 19, of Kannapolis, North Carolina. He is wanted by the Kannapolis Police Department on a warrant for a murder that occurred on May 21, 2012 in that city. Members of the Maryland State Police State Apprehension Team were contacted late yesterday by Kannapolis Police Department detectives who said their investigation indicated Smotherson may have taken a bus from Georgia and was possibly headed to the Baltimore area. The State Police State Apprehension Team enlisted the assistance of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Baltimore City Sheriffs Office, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Secret Service, State Police Drug Enforcement Division and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Fugitive investigators conducted surveillances at locations in Laurel and Baltimore where the bus might possibly stop. At about 7:30 a.m. today, a passenger bus from Atlanta arrived at the northbound welcome center on I-95 near Rt. 32 in Laurel. Smotherson was observed getting off the bus with other passengers. He was taken into custody without incident. Smotherson has been taken to the Maryland State Police Waterloo Barrack where he is being held on a fugitive warrant. Detectives from the Kannapolis Police Department are on their way to the barrack at this time to further their investigation and to initiate extradition proceedings.

CONTACT:

Greg Shipley Office of Media Communications 410-653-4236

Patty / Update #8