The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officially canceled the Amber Alert for 3-year-old Jibreel Harun on Friday morning, following the safe recovery of the child and the apprehension of his father, 41-year-old Aaron Dontay Williams, who is now in custody for the brutal double homicide of his wife and stepdaughter in Auburn, Alabama.

The tragic chain of events began Thursday afternoon when Auburn police officers responded to a welfare check at a home located on the 1200 block of Samantha Court around 2:30 p.m. Upon forcing entry into the residence, authorities were met with a scene of horror. The lifeless bodies of 34-year-old Tyeisha Williams and her 13-year-old daughter, Zynniya Wright, were found inside. The discovery of the victims quickly escalated the situation into a major criminal investigation and child abduction emergency, as 3-year-old Jibreel Harun, the biological son of Tyeisha and Aaron Williams, was unaccounted for.

Authorities believed the child had been taken by Williams, who was not present at the residence when officers arrived. Given the violent nature of the crime, Williams was considered armed and dangerous, and officials expressed strong concern for the child’s immediate safety. The Amber Alert, which went statewide and extended into neighboring jurisdictions, described the suspect’s vehicle as a gray 2010 Honda Accord bearing Alabama tag 43A224A.

An intense multi-agency manhunt ensued. The case quickly drew the attention and resources of the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Working in coordination, these agencies tracked Williams across state lines. Their efforts culminated in his arrest at approximately 7:15 a.m. on Friday, less than 24 hours after the alert was issued. The child, to the immense relief of all involved, was found unharmed.

According to Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Early forensic analysis suggests that the murders likely occurred within a 48-hour window prior to the grim discovery. This timing provided Williams a significant head start in evading authorities, which may explain how he managed to briefly escape across state borders before being intercepted.

The announcement of the successful recovery of Jibreel and arrest of Williams brought both relief and heartbreak to a community still reeling from the violent loss of a mother and her daughter. Investigators have not yet publicly disclosed the method of killing or whether a weapon has been recovered, but given that authorities considered Williams armed and dangerous, it is believed that he may have been carrying a firearm at the time of his arrest.

At a press briefing, Auburn Assistant Police Chief Michael Harris underscored the seriousness of the threat and the urgency of the response. “The child was believed to be in imminent danger,” he said. “We had strong reason to believe Williams was armed with a firearm. We urge the public to always call 911 and not to approach suspects like this.”

The exact motive behind the double murder remains under investigation. Authorities are piecing together a timeline of events leading up to the killings, including Williams’ last known interactions with the victims and whether any history of domestic violence, threats, or mental health concerns may have played a role. Officials did confirm that Williams is not the biological father of Zynniya Wright, though he was her stepfather and lived in the same household.

The homicides and ensuing Amber Alert have shaken the Auburn community and surrounding region, bringing renewed attention to the intersection of domestic violence, child endangerment, and firearm access. The case has also highlighted the speed and efficiency of inter-agency cooperation, which law enforcement credited for the swift resolution and the safe recovery of the child.

A $15,000 reward had been offered jointly by Crime Stoppers and the FBI for information leading to Williams’ capture. It is currently unclear whether tips from the public or surveillance technologies played a role in his ultimate location and arrest.

The bodies of Tyeisha Williams and Zynniya Wright have been transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery for full autopsies, which may provide further insight into the sequence of the crime. Meanwhile, Williams faces multiple felony charges, including two counts of capital murder, kidnapping, and potentially child endangerment. His extradition to Alabama is expected to proceed swiftly given the severity of the crimes.

In the wake of this tragedy, community members have gathered in sorrow, remembering the lives of Tyeisha—a woman described by friends as kind-hearted and resilient—and Zynniya, a bright and energetic teenager whose life was just beginning. Social media posts have filled with condolences, prayers, and anger as residents demand justice and mourn the horrific nature of the crime.

The Auburn Police Department is continuing its investigation and urges anyone with information that could help clarify the motive or lead to additional charges to contact them at 334-501-7313 or dial 911. The agency has also thanked the public for its vigilance and cooperation during a tense and fast-moving emergency.

Though the Amber Alert has now been resolved with the recovery of young Jibreel Harun, the wounds left behind by this domestic tragedy will take far longer to heal. A mother and a daughter are gone, a family is shattered, and a community is left to grapple with the unanswered question: Why?