Teen Charged With Attempted Murder Captured After Handcuffed Escape Outside Escambia County Detention Center

BREWTON, AL (BuzzReport)— A dramatic series of events unfolded Wednesday in Brewton after an 18-year-old woman accused of opening fire on a vehicle briefly escaped police custody while handcuffed before being captured just moments later near the Escambia County Courthouse.

According to the Brewton Police Department, officers and investigators responded on July 1 to a residence on Lovelace Avenue after receiving a delayed report of a shooting. The investigation began when the victim drove directly to the Brewton Police Department in a vehicle that had been struck multiple times by gunfire.

Investigators quickly launched an investigation and identified 18-year-old Christiana Bell as the suspect.

Officers later located Bell on East Jackson Street, where she was detained without incident and transported to the Brewton Police Department for questioning. Following an interview with investigators, Bell was formally arrested and charged with Attempted Murder and Shooting Into an Occupied Vehicle.

But the case took an unexpected turn after Bell was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center.

Police said Bell managed to flee from the transporting officer while still handcuffed behind her back. The escape triggered an immediate law enforcement response, with numerous Brewton police officers and deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office flooding the area surrounding the jail in search of the suspect.

Authorities quickly established a security perimeter around nearby streets and public buildings as officers searched for the fleeing suspect.

The manhunt was short-lived.

Bell was located a short time later across the street from the Escambia County Courthouse, where officers safely took her back into custody without further incident.

As a result of the brief escape, Bell now faces an additional charge of Escape in the Third Degree, adding to the two serious felony charges already filed against her.

Investigators have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting on Lovelace Avenue, including what led to the gunfire or whether the victim suffered any injuries. Those details remain part of the ongoing investigation.

The Brewton Police Department continues to investigate the shooting and is asking anyone with information related to the case to contact investigators.