All Homicides in Tuscaloosa County So Far in 2021
In just under one week, Tuscaloosa County has seen four homicides, three of which were fatal shootings. Two of the victims in these recent murders were teenagers -- just 13 and 16 years old.
The latest killings bring the total number of homicides in the county up to 17 as October draws to a close.
These crimes scenes are investigated by the multi-agency Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, which is comprised of detectives from the Tuscaloosa Police Department, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, the Northport Police Department and the University of Alabama Police Department.
Captain Jack Kennedy and Marty Sellers serve as Commander and Co-Commander of the VCU respectfully. They and the VCU investigate all violent crimes, unnatural deaths and sex crimes in Tuscaloosa County, including murder.
Although it may be a cold comfort to the families and loved one of the victims, the current number of homicides in the county is lower than the previous two years. Police in Tuscaloosa County investigated 22 homicides in 2020, marking it the most violent year since 2008. Police reported 21 homicides in 2019 and 2018.
11 people have been charged with Capital Murder in 2021, which is the most serious charge available to prosecutors in Alabama. Suspects are held without bond until they go to trial, and if convicted of capital murder, the only two sentencing options available are life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Several of the following cases are still active and ongoing. This list will be updated accordingly with new information: