BULLITT CO., Ky. (WHAS11) -- Investigators in Bullitt County arrested the man suspected in a brutal killing, where a woman was shot and had acid poured on her body, nearly 400 days after the crime.
Members of the Louisville Metro Police Department VIPER Unit tracked down and arrested DeAndre McElroy less than two hours after a judge signed a warrant for his arrest, Bullitt County Sheriff's Office Captain Mike Murdoch said.
Murdoch said McElroy, 29, had been a suspect since the initial days after the crime, but it took a lengthy investigation and key evidence to be connected to McElroy before they could arrest him.
"[We] were at McElroy's home three to four days after this and attempted to speak with Mr. McElroy," Murdoch said. "but we did not receive a warm reception and that draws red flags."
Murdoch said DNA evidence found on Donesha McStoots's body and the crime scene linked directly to McElroy, despite an acid cleaner being poured on the body in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence. He said investigators were fortunate there was DNA still available to be tested.
McStoot, 21--who had already been shot twice and had the acid poured on her--managed to flag down the owner of the Knob Creek Gun Range after the shooting on May 9, 2014. Murdoch said the shooting happened in the driveway leading up to the gun range.
During a media briefing Friday, Murdoch said technology also played a major role in the case. He said they were able to track McElroy's cell phone to the crime scene 20 minutes before and five minutes after the shooting.
He said McElroy and McStoots had been seen together in the days leading up to the crime, with the exception of the night before the murder.
Murdoch was not able to provide a motive but said even though it took 12 months to make an arrest, the investigation is not complete.
"When we make an arrest, that's when the case begins for us as far as seeing what else we can find on it," he said, adding, "it can be a cold case for a while, but nothing is ever inactive."
He said McElroy was cooperative during his arrest and questioning, but would not elaborate as to how helpful McElroy had been or if he had confessed.
McElroy entered a not guilty plea during his arraignment Friday morning. He is being held at the Bullitt County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond.
He is scheduled to return to court June 8 for a preliminary hearing.
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