Fort Worth suspect arrested for murder following fatal motel parking lot shooting involving romantic dispute

Anthony Birdow is in custody for the murder of Markell Smith at a Fort Worth motel. Read about the romantic dispute that led to the fatal February shooting.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 13, 2026, 9:51 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Dallas Express

Arrest Made in Month Old Fatal Confrontation

Law enforcement authorities in Tarrant County have successfully located and detained a suspect wanted for a deadly shooting that occurred in early February. Anthony Donnell Birdow, 29, was booked into the Tarrant County Corrections Center on March 11 to face a formal murder charge. The arrest follows an investigation into the death of 34 year old Markell Smith, who was discovered with a fatal chest wound outside a motel room. According to police records, the suspect remained at large for approximately one month before being taken into custody by the Fort Worth Police Department.

The Escalation of a Domestic Dispute

The incident reportedly began within the confines of a room at the Central Motel on East Lancaster Avenue before moving into the public parking area. According to an arrest affidavit, Markell Smith arrived at the motel and engaged in a verbal altercation with Birdow inside room 30. Witnesses stated that a female associate of both men was present when the disagreement turned physical. The dispute quickly shifted to the motel entrance, where a single gunshot was heard by other guests and staff members shortly after the men exited the room.

Identifying the Suspect Through Witness Testimony

A key breakthrough in the investigation came from a female witness who had previously been in a romantic relationship with Birdow. According to investigators, she provided a comprehensive identification of the suspect, including his full name, residential address, and active social media profiles. This testimony allowed detectives to establish a clear motive for the violence, suggesting the confrontation was specifically rooted in a dispute involving the woman. This direct link provided the evidentiary foundation needed for the Fort Worth Police Department to secure an arrest warrant.