Huntsville Police Apprehend Suspect Following Intensive Manhunt for Murder of Alabama A&M University Student

Huntsville Police have arrested Ahmad Khalil Barney for the shooting death of student Nadiya Perkins after a manhunt and school lockdowns. Read more.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 7, 2026, 5:24 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from WSFA

Intensive Search and School Lockdowns

The search for a murder suspect brought several Madison County communities to a standstill on Friday. Huntsville Police, supported by multiple local agencies, initiated a large scale manhunt for 20 year old Ahmad Khalil Barney. The operation began after authorities received reports that Barney had been spotted on Shields Road. Upon being approached by officers, the suspect reportedly fled into a heavily wooded area, prompting a tactical response. As a safety precaution, five area schools including Madison County Career Tech, Mt. Carmel Elementary, and Riverton Intermediate were placed on a secure perimeter for several hours.

The Julia Street Investigation

Barney was wanted in connection with the violent death of Nadiya Perkins, a 19 year old student at Alabama A&M University. Perkins was discovered at an apartment complex on Julia Street, the victim of a fatal shooting. Investigators worked throughout the day to track Barney's movements as he evaded capture in the woods near Jordan Road. The loss of a young student has sent shockwaves through the university community, and university officials have remained in close contact with municipal law enforcement throughout the progression of the case.

Apprehension on Century Street

The two hour tactical search in the woods concluded when units received intelligence that the suspect had managed to exit the perimeter. However, the evasion was short lived. Just after 2 p.m., Huntsville Police located Barney on Century Street. Unlike the earlier encounter on Shields Road, the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. The arrest brought an end to the school lockdowns, allowing students to return to their normal schedules and residents to resume travel in the area.