Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

An Atmore man was arrested for murder today, according to officials.

Atmore Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Darrell McMann said in a release that Kendrell Madison, 39, was arrested this morning at approximately 5:40 after investigators and patrol officers performed a traffic stop.

McMann said the arrest stems from the death of Kenneth Harrison, 45, of Silverhill, on Aug. 5, at the Tavern.

McMann said at approximately 11:50 p.m. on Aug. 5, APD officers responded to the Tavern on Highway 31 in reference to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.

“When officers arrived on the scene they found Hannah Martin, age 24 of Atmore with severe injuries in the parking lot near the roadway and immediately began CPR,” McMann said, adding the vehicle that struck Martin was operated by Harrison. “Harrison moved his vehicle into the Tavern parking lot after hitting Martin. Martin passed away as a result of her injuries in the emergency room at Atmore Community Hospital.”

McMann said then, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency led the investigation surrounding the circumstances surrounding Martin’s death.

“While on the scene, the responding officers discovered Harrison laying on his stomach in the parking lot of the Tavern unconscious,” McMann said. “When the officers rolled him over, they discovered that Harrison had severe injuries to his face that disfigured his facial features. Due to his extensive injuries the officers thought at the time that Harrison may have been assaulted by one or more people. The officers rendered aid to Harrison, who was transported by ambulance to Atmore Community Hospital. Harrison was then transported by helicopter to a trauma center in Mobile, where he ultimately passed away as a result of his injuries.”

McMann said investigators then interviewed several potential witnesses and reviewed videos that included audio recordings.

“The assault occurred out of the field of view of the closest positioned security camera,” he said. “The audio recordings became valuable during the investigation.”

McMann said the investigation revealed that Harrison sustained the injuries when he was allegedly forcefully driven into the pavement and the impact caused the injuries.

“The assault occurred as everyone’s attention was focused on Martin,” McMann said. “Harrison was not assaulted with a weapon nor was he assaulted by more than one person. Investigators developed a person of interest, but continued to seek witnesses and await the results of search warrants that had been obtained during the investigation, which led to the delay in making an arrest.”

McMann said the lead investigator consulted with the Escambia County District Attorney upon completing the investigation to determine the appropriate charge(s).

After the arrest, Madison was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Brewton.