
Teenager Charged With Murdering Man First Thought to Be Accident Victim
A teenager is being accused of murdering a man in Walker County who was first thought to be the victim of an accident, police reported this weekend.
The Walker County Sheriff's Office took to social media and their website on Saturday and said the investigation began last week, on October 14th, when deputies received a call about an injured man lying on Highway 78 in the area of Argo Hill, Alabama.
Police responded and found Johnathan O’Neil Foster, 40, in the median near Scott's Texaco service station and at first believed he had been struck by a vehicle.

Foster died and WCSO began working with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's State Troopers on what they believed was a hit-and-run, but a Wednesday autopsy report and further investigation led police to suspect foul play.
Sheriff Nick Smith said deputies and State Troopers conducted interviews and looked at the case from this fresh perspective and found cause to charge a teenager with murder in connection to Foster's death.
"After hours of meticulous work by our investigators and multiple interviews with potential witnesses, we gathered sufficient evidence to move forward with criminal charges," Smith said. "Yesterday, following careful consultation with the Walker County District Attorney’s Office, a warrant for murder was issued against a 17-year-old juvenile in connection with Mr. Foster's death. Due to the individual’s status as a juvenile, we are limited in what we can disclose about the suspect at this time. We want to emphasize, however, that we are working diligently within the legal system to ensure justice is served in this case."
The sheriff commended his investigators and those working for ALEA and expressed condolences to the victim's family as they process this violent loss. He also encouraged residents to continue using the WCSO mobile app to submit any relevant information about the case.
"To the residents of Walker County, please know that your safety is always our top priority. Cases like this are rare, and we remain committed to maintaining peace and security in our community," Smith wrote. "While we understand that the public has many questions, especially concerning the suspect and the details surrounding this case, we must remind everyone that this involves a juvenile. We will protect the legal process, and the privacy rights associated with that status. At this time, the investigation is ongoing, and no further details will be released until appropriate."
For additional details on the case as they become available, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.
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