Birth Certificate Near Spent Casing Leads to Man’s Arrest in Alleyway Shooting

Jalen Allen Purcell was arrested on March 25, 2025, and charged with Serious Violent Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a Level 4 Felony, after a birth certificate bearing his name was found near a spent 9mm casing at the scene of an alleyway shooting. The investigation also revealed potential connections to an alleged drug transaction.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Detective Clint Brown, officers responded to the 2200 block of Iowa Avenue following reports of a gunshot. Upon arrival, officers discovered the spent casing and Purcell’s birth certificate within ten feet of each other. A witness reported hearing an argument and a gunshot, and seeing a male, later identified as Purcell, with a semi-automatic handgun in the alley between Iowa and Western Avenues.

A K9 track led officers to a Pontiac Grand Prix parked near a residence on Western Avenue, and subsequent investigation led them to a nearby home where Purcell was located with Brittany Combs.

Interviews with Combs and Devon Bobbitt revealed that an argument had occurred, and Purcell had produced a handgun. Combs reported hearing a “loud bang” following this. Notably, Combs also stated that after the incident, she, Purcell, and Bobbitt allegedly left the scene to acquire drugs. Bobbitt confirmed Purcell’s possession of the firearm and later admitted to trading it for drugs.

Purcell provided statements to detectives, admitting to possessing and discharging the firearm. He also disclosed the weapon’s location, which was recovered from a kitchen vent at Bobbitt’s residence with Bobbitt’s consent. The recovered firearm was a 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun.

A background check revealed that Purcell has a prior Level 4 Felony Burglary conviction, classifying him as a Serious Violent Felon. Video footage from a nearby business corroborated witness accounts, showing Purcell with the firearm and capturing the sound of a gunshot.

Purcell was transported to the Fayette County Jail and formally charged. The recovered firearm was taken as evidence.

Defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.