The Dalton Police Department arrested Kathy I. Strickland of 2050 Woodridge Lane last Wednesday, on charges of a felony charge of making false statements to law enforcement officers and also charges of hindering the apprehension of a criminal, and obstruction of law officers in connection with the April 29 homicides on Dude Street. Ms. Strickland’s involvement in the incident came after the shootings had already occurred, and she is not a suspect in the homicides.
After the April 29 shootings, Emilio Christopher Canales left the scene driving a gray Monte Carlo. He called Ms. Strickland, his aunt and sister of shooting victim Deborah Canales, and had her pick him up at the Walgreen’s store on Walnut Avenue. Ms. Strickland drove him to a house on Sparks Lane.
Ms. Strickland later left Sparks Lane and drove to the scene of the shootings on Dude Street where she encountered investigators from the Dalton Police Department. When asked for the whereabouts of Emilio Christopher Canales, Ms. Strickland told investigators that she did not know where he was. When asked when was the last time she saw or heard from Canales was, she told investigators that she had not seen him since the day before.
When a DPD cruiser passed the house on Sparks Lane, Canales was apparently spooked and left the house on foot. When a Whitfield County deputy passed minutes later, the deputy spotted Canales hiding outside. The deputy was then able to take Canales into custody without incident.
After conducting numerous interviews with witnesses, DPD investigators obtained warrants for Strickland’s arrest and took her into custody on Wednesday afternoon.
DPD detectives continue to investigate the April 29 incident. Emilio Christopher Canales remains the sole suspect involved in the shootings.