Third Suspect Arrested, Charged With Capital Murder in Tuscaloosa Gun Sale Killing

A third juvenile has been arrested and charged with capital murder in the death of a 19-year-old Tuscaloosa man killed during a gun sale gone wrong earlier this month, according to the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit.

As the Thread previously reported, Kaleb Tyrone Rollins, 19, was found shot and killed in the roadway in the 5500 block of East 20th Avenue at approximately 12:30 a.m. on August 6, near Jug Factory Road in southeastern Tuscaloosa.

VCU Commander Captain Jack Kennedy said investigators determined Rollins had approached a vehicle to buy a gun and passed money through an open window, but the juveniles inside the vehicle attempted to leave without providing the weapon.

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Rollins was dragged a short distance by the vehicle before allegedly being shot and killed by one of its occupants.

Two juveniles were arrested and charged as adults with felony murder in the days following the shooting.

A third juvenile suspect remained at large and was actively sought by law enforcement. That suspect has now been arrested and charged as an adult with capital murder, according to Kennedy. All three suspects are being held at the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond, and all suspects in the case are now in custody.

Under Alabama law, no identifying information about the juvenile defendants can be released. Kennedy again cited Alabama Act 2021-388, which prohibits law enforcement from publicly disclosing photographs, names or other personal identifying information for juveniles charged as adults, and bars their publication in any printed or electronic media.

By the count of Thread staff, Rollins' death is the 12th homicide the VCU has investigated in Tuscaloosa County in 2026.

For more exclusive coverage of crime and courts in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.