SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
A 13-year-old boy was shot and killed early Friday morning inside a south Alabama apartment complex, and a 17-year-old suspect is now in custody facing a charge of capital murder, authorities confirmed.
The shooting occurred just before 7 a.m. in the 40 block of Westfield Court, an apartment complex located along Highway 51 in Clayton, according to Barbour County Coroner Chip Chapman. First responders arrived to find the young teen suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Due to the victim’s age, officials have not released his name.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has taken over the case at the request of Clayton Police Chief Ed Hardy. ALEA Capt. Jeremy Burkett confirmed Saturday that a 17-year-old has been formally charged with capital murder in connection with the killing.
Jail records show the suspect was booked into the Barbour County Jail late Friday afternoon and is being held without bond.
Authorities have not released details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting, including a possible motive or what led investigators to charge the case as capital murder. Under Alabama law, capital murder charges can apply when certain aggravating factors are present, though officials have not specified which factors are being considered in this case.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the small Barbour County community, raising renewed concerns about youth violence and access to firearms.
Officials say the investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact local law enforcement or the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.