Crime
18-Year-Old Jose Antonio Alvarado Charged with Murder After Man Found Dead in Jefferson County House Fire
JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — Authorities have confirmed that a man found deceased inside a burning home in Graysville was the victim of a homicide, and an 18-year-old from Elkmont has now been arrested in connection with the case.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that Jose Antonio Alvarado, 18, has been charged with murder and second-degree arson in connection with the deadly fire.
The identity of the victim has not yet been released by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, as officials continue working to confirm next of kin.
The incident began on Sunday night, when firefighters from Graysville and Adamsville responded to a reported structure fire in the 500 block of Seventh Avenue S.W. at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Upon arrival, first responders found the home fully engulfed in flames.
After the fire was brought under control, emergency crews discovered the body of a male victim inside the residence. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:17 p.m.
Detectives from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, along with agents from the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office, were called in to investigate.
Following several days of inquiries, Alvarado was taken into custody on Thursday.
He was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 6:05 p.m. and is currently being held without bond.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific circumstances surrounding the victim’s death or a potential motive for the crime.
The case remains under active investigation.
This incident marks the 48th homicide in Jefferson County so far in 2025.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is urged to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450, or provide anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.