Huntsville man wanted in Julia Street homicide arrested after search

Published on March 6, 2026

A Huntsville man wanted on a murder warrant in connection with a homicide earlier this week was arrested on Friday, March 6, following a coordinated search involving multiple law enforcement agencies.

Ahmad Khalil Barney, 20, of Huntsville, was arrested just after 2 p.m. on Century Street without incident.

Barney is wanted in connection with the death of Nadiya Dayana Perkins, 19, of Montgomery, who was found deceased around 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 4, in the 200 block of Julia Street.

Shortly before 11 a.m. Friday, investigators with the Huntsville Police Department (HPD) Major Crimes Unit developed information indicating Barney may have been in a wooded area near Jordan Road and Shields Road. Law enforcement agencies quickly launched a coordinated search of the area.

The search involved HPD, the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Alabama A&M University Police Department. Officers, investigators, K-9 units and drones searched the area for approximately two hours while working to narrow down Barney’s location.

During the search, investigators developed information indicating Barney had left the wooded area. A subsequent tip led officers to a residence on Century Street, where Barney was taken into custody.

HPD appreciates the assistance provided by partner agencies and members of the community during the investigation and search effort.

The investigation remains ongoing. Additional information will be released when it becomes available.