Massive Manhunt Continues for Suspected Murderer

A manhunt continues in two North Texas counties, after police say a murder suspect was able to get away on Wednesday.

On Thursday several schools in Joshua are on a "soft" lockdown while authorities continue their search for 40-year-old Kristun Madewell, a man police believe fatally shot a 29-year-old man in Fort Worth last week.

Madewell is suspected of fatally shooting Christopher Ortega, 29, at a home in the 1500 block of Willow Park Drive Dec. 12, authorities said. Two children were in the house at the time.

More than 100 officers and dogs from several agencies searched for Madewell in and around Crowley on Wednesday night into Thursday. Fort Worth Police said Thursday morning that they believed Madewell was no longer in that area.

Crowley police set up a command post at Bicentennial Park where they believed Madewell may have been hiding. They advised people who live near the park to stay in their homes until they confirm Madewell is not in the area or until he has been detained.

Lt. Tim Jones with the Johnson County Sheriff's Department confirmed to NBC 5 a Cleburne Times Review report that dogs tracked Madewell to an area near Huguley Hospital Thursday morning. Jones said Madewell has connections to the schools on soft lockdown but that he has not been seen in Joshua.

Several Johnson County Sheriff's deputies and Joshua Police officers were positioned at, at least, two Joshua ISD schools. Those picking up students from school on Thursday said they were relieved to see the police presence.

"That’s very reassuring, I’m glad that they are here," said Sheri Edwards. "I think it's made a lot of people nervous. It's a small town, not very much happens here."

Joshua ISD said in a statement from its superintendent that the soft lockdown was down out of precaution.

"Due to the recent circumstances of a manhunt in the immediate area, all Joshua ISD campuses are in a 'soft lockdown,'" said Fran Marek, in a message posted to the district's website. "A 'soft lockdown' means that students remain in the building all day and do not exit the building for any reasons except for dismissal.  Please understand that this is strictly for precautionary measures for the safety of our entire school district."

Meanwhile, in Fort Worth, police said Thursday they are not concentrating their search in any one particular area and instead have extra patrols on hand with officers following up on unusual calls or tips.

Cpl. Tracey Knight with the Fort Worth Police Department said residents should "continue to be diligent about their safety and mindful of their surroundings. If they spot the suspect then call 911. Do not attempt to follow or approach."

Police described Madewell as 6 feet 2 inches tall and about 270 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Police said Madewell is dangerous and possibly armed.

A massive manhunt is underway for Kristun Madewell, who is accused of killing a Fort Worth man earlier this week.

“He is a murder suspect,” said Knight. “There is a warrant out for his arrest for the murder on Willow Park a few days ago.”

Undercover officers received information that Madewell was at a home in Johnson County at about noon Wednesday. Police said Madewell fled in a truck when they approached the home.

After officers lost sight of the truck, police said Madewell left it and stole another truck. The second truck had a GPS unit connected, which police used to track it to the neighborhood near Bicentennial Park.

[[28625428,C]]

Contact Us