Suspect arrested in Dekalb murder following overnight standoff

Christopher McClure

Residents in a Dekalb County Community  were evacuated from their homes as law enforcement closed in on a man suspected as the killer in what Sheriff Jimmy Harris said was  "one of the most violent murders he's seen in over 25 years.   20 year old Ben Christopher McClure,  was arrested Sunday, charged with murder in the shooting death of  35 year old Michael Arnold Johnson, of Fyffe. He was shot multiple times at his residence on DeKalb County 578 shortly after 4 p.m. on Saturday. A second suspect was arrested for hindering prosecution.

The shooter fled the scene and a lookout was issued in an attempt to find and apprehend the suspects in the murder. McClure was identified and located near Antioch close to the Jackson-DeKalb line on County Road 538. He was still in possession of an assault rifle used in the shooting and had made threats he would not go to jail without a fight.

The Special Response Team secured the perimeter around the suspect's house and monitored his movements until dawn. Several residents were safely evacuated from their homes as a safety measure during the night and they were able to return around 10 a.m. Sunday.  Negotiators made contact with McClure inside the residence shortly after dawn. During the next two hours, officers were able to get four family members out of the house, and McClure was finally persuaded to come out un-armed.

A search warrant turned up what appeared to be the murder weapon. It was loaded with a 30-round magazine and was located near McClure's sleeping area. Evidence was recovered from the residence as well as the vehicle used in the homicide.

36 year old James Edward Wooten, of Powell, was taken into custody by investigators near Powell. He is charged with hindering prosecution and the investigation continues.

Johnson's body was taken to Alabama Department of Forensic Science in Huntsville for autopsy.