Police Charge a Minor with Capital Murder in Valley Hills Shooting in Northport

A second suspect has been charged with Capital Murder in the shooting of a 16-year old at a Northport apartment complex Monday.

This defendant is under the age of 18, but will be charged as an adult.

Northport Police Department officers were called to the scene of a shooting at Valley Hills Apartments around 3 p.m. Monday. Once there, they discovered 16-year-old David Martin, Jr. in his own vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including at least one in his chest.

He was rushed to an area hospital, but did not survive.

Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, said that due to Alabama Acts 2021-388,  Code of Alabama 12-15-134 (f), that was passed by the legislature last year, law enforcement is prohibited from releasing  any information concerning suspects under the age of 18.

The law states, in part:

Except for use in legal proceedings, photographs, likeness, and personal identifying information contained in law enforcement records of a person charged pursuant to Section 12-15-204 is not a public record and may not be published in any printed or electronic media nor open to public inspection, prior to conviction, unless the district court or circuit court with jurisdiction over case orders the records be released in the interest of the person charged.

The mugshot featured above belongs to Ladamien Rogers-Wallace, 18. Wallace was the first suspect charged following the shooting, and was also charged with capital murder.  This is the most severe charge available to police and prosecutors in the state, as the only two outcomes for those convicted are life in prison without parole, or the death penalty.

Kennedy said that this investigation is still ongoing, and other arrests may be made in the future. Stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread for updates on this case as they become available.