A North Carolina man now faces first-degree murder charges after authorities arrested him in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred at a Kissimmee motel two months ago, marking the second suspect taken into custody for the deadly July attack.
Cross-State Manhunt Ends in Arrest
Jihad Basil Scott was apprehended in Morrisville, North Carolina, on an outstanding warrant charging him with first-degree murder. The arrest followed an investigation into a July 11, 2026, stabbing at the Days Inn on West Vine Street in Kissimmee. Following his capture by Morrisville Police Department officers, Scott was transferred to Osceola County Jail in Florida to face prosecution. The arrest demonstrates the reach of law enforcement cooperation across state lines in pursuing justice for violent crimes.
The fatal incident unfolded in the early morning hours when Kissimmee police responded to reports of an injured person at the motel located at 4125 West Vine Street. Officers arrived at the scene around 12:49 a.m. and discovered an adult male victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. Emergency medical personnel rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead shortly after arrival. Authorities have not released the victim’s identity pending family notification.
Second Defendant Joins Case
Scott is not the only person facing murder charges in this case. Keith Swinton Jr. was arrested in July 2026, shortly after the stabbing occurred, and also faces first-degree murder charges. Both men now await trial in the Osceola County criminal justice system. The arrests of two suspects suggest investigators believe multiple individuals participated in the deadly attack, though authorities have not disclosed specific details about each defendant’s alleged role in the homicide or the circumstances that led to the confrontation.
Law Enforcement Coordination Praised
Kissimmee Police Chief Charles Broadway publicly recognized the investigative work that led to Scott’s capture. He emphasized the dedication of detectives who pursued leads across state lines to identify and locate those responsible for the killing. Broadway specifically thanked the Morrisville Police Department for their assistance in locating and arresting the suspect. The coordinated effort between Florida and North Carolina law enforcement agencies exemplifies how modern policing transcends jurisdictional boundaries when pursuing violent offenders who flee across state lines to avoid prosecution.
Both suspects remain in custody as the case proceeds through Florida’s criminal justice system. First-degree murder charges carry severe penalties under Florida law, including potential life imprisonment. Prosecutors will determine whether to seek enhanced penalties as the case develops through preliminary hearings and potential trial proceedings.