Missing Texas girl found safe; Uncle killed in FBI shootout
BENBROOK, Texas - A missing nine-year-old Texas girl has been found safe and her uncle, who is believed to have abducted her, was killed in an FBI shootout, reports CBS DFW.
Authorities say 24-year-old Jessie Williams abducted his niece, Caitlyn Williams, from outside her Benbrook home on Friday, May 22.
An Amber Alert was issued for the girl on Tuesday, a day after her parents reported her missing. Authorities on Tuesday also issued a warrant for Jessie Williams' arrest and said he was believed to have altered the girl's appearance in an effort to evade authorities.
It is unclear why the girl's parents waited until Monday, May 25 to file a missing persons report. Officials have said the girl was last seen leaving her Benbrook home on a bicycle at around 3 p.m. on Friday, May 22 to head to a friend's house for a weekend slumber party. She was due to return on Sunday, May 24, but never did.
CBS DFW reports the girl never made it to her friend's house.
According to the station, Jessie Williams was located with the girl Tuesday afternoon at a Days Inn Motel in Bossier City, La. He was ultimately killed in a shootout with an FBI task force.
A task force officer was shot in the leg during gunfire exchange with Williams, the FBI said, according to the station.
Police said several tips that came in from the Amber Alert led to them the motel where Williams was located.
Caitlyn Williams was reunited with her family Wednesday.
In a statement, Caitlyn's father, Shawn Williams, thanked law enforcement and the local community for their support during the ordeal.
"We would just like to spend time alone with our daughter and try to move past this terrible tragedy as best we can," he said.
The nine-year-old's great aunt, Judy Rigsbee, added, "We're sad the way it ended the way it did, but we're glad Caitlyn is okay."