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Jamestown Police Identify Female Homicide Victim

Jamestown police on Friday identified the 34-year-old woman killed this week as Kala M. Hodgkin. An officer is pictured outside 125 William St. where Hodgkin was found dead. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

A 34-year-old Jamestown woman was identified Friday by police as the victim of this week’s homicide on the city’s south side.

Kala M. Hodgkin was found inside the home at 125 William St., just off Baker. Officers had been called to the property around 4:30 a.m. Thursday for a report of an unresponsive woman.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and everyone involved,” the Jamestown Police Department said in a brief statement.

Investigators are still looking for 34-year-old Michael C. Burham, considered to be potentially “armed and dangerous” following a string of emergencies early Thursday that also included two fires breaking out. Police later confirmed Friday that Burham is a suspect in the homicide case.

Burham’s Ram truck was located Thursday evening in the city of Warren after police received a credible tip.

“We are asking that if you see Michael C. Burham, call 911 or the appropriate Law Enforcement Agency having jurisdiction immediately and do not approach him,” JPD said Friday.

Several agencies, including the FBI, are involved in the ongoing investigation.

“Any time there is a homicide, and that’s what we’re dealing with here, we’re called to the scenes so that we can assist with law enforcement in order to develop and preserve evidence. We’ve done that,” Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said during a press conference Thursday at City Hall. “There’s been a number of avenues that we’ve pursued on our side. We’ve also reached out to our law enforcement partners outside the state and we’ve gotten some contribution from a number of different agencies here in Chautauqua County, outside the county.”

In addition to Thursday’s homicide, police and firefighters also handled a large fire at Danielson Oil Co. on Crescent Street and a vehicle fire on Fulton Street. All three emergencies occurred within a half-hour span.

The fire at Danielson Oil Co. was later ruled accidental; however, the vehicle fire on Fulton was ruled incendiary in nature, meaning a device was reportedly used to start the blaze. Police would not comment on whether the vehicle fire may be tied to the murder investigation.

Jamestown Public Schools remained in a precautionary lockout at all of its buildings Friday “out of an abundance of caution.”

In a statement, the district said, “JPS and its school resource officers have remained in communication with JPD regarding their ongoing search for a person of interest. JPD continues to believe that there is no immediate threat to schools.”

There were no interruptions at schools in Warren County.

Anyone with any information regarding Burham is still asked to contact the Jamestown Police Department immediately at 716-483-7537 or the anonymous tip line at 716-483-8477. All calls and tips will be kept confidential.

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