Minor Charged With Capital Murder After Fatal Shooting In Cottondale

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit says a minor is in custody and charged with capital murder after a man who shot and killed in Cottondale early Friday morning.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the multiagency unit, said deputies with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office responded at approximately 3 a.m. to a call of a shooting in the 5400 block of 19th Street East in Cottondale.

Kennedy said one male victim — 39-year-old Cornelius Darnell Witherspoon — was found dead in his vehicle. Investigators then learned that Witherspoon had been living at the residence with his girlfriend and several of her children.

"After speaking to witnesses, interviewing all occupants of the residence, and processing the scene for evidence it was discovered that the victim and his girlfriend’s son had been involved in an argument, during which the victim was shot and killed," Kennedy said. "The capital murder charge stems from the fact that the victim was inside his vehicle at the time that he was shot and killed."

Due to the suspect being under the age of 18, investigators are prohibited from releasing any identifying information.

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