Birmingham Man Charged With Murder

BIRMINGHAM, AL - A man has been charged in the February 23 shooting death of 29-year-old Monty Lewayne Davis. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office announced 37-year-old Rajuar Akeil Key has been charged with the murder, and remains at large.

Deputies discovered the body of Monty Davis on February 24, 2018, when they responded to a report of a brush fire in the 300 block of Mulga Loop Road. His body had been dumped off the road and set on fire. A medical examiner’s report revealed that he had also been shot. It appeared that Davis had been shot elsewhere and dumped on Mulga Loop Road.

(For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Patch morning newsletter.)

Sheriff’s Detectives immediately began investigating the murder. They followed up leads from anonymous tips and family members to determine who had last seen Davis alive. With information from the initial investigation and investigative support from the Metro Area Crime Center detectives developed Key as the suspect.

Detectives learned that on the night he was killed, Davis went to Key’s residence on Eufaula Avenue in Birmingham. While he was there, detectives said Key accused Davis of stealing marijuana from him and owing him money. The two men began arguing and then fighting. Key reportedly pulled out a pistol and shot Davis. Key then took the body to Mulga Loop Road and set it on fire to destroy evidence and to prevent or prolong the identification process.

On July 23, Sheriff’s Detectives obtained an arrest warrant formally charging Key with the murder of Monty Davis. Bond has been set at $100,000. Davis remains at large. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

Photo by Renee Schiavone/Patch

Like the Birmingham Patch Facebook page for more local news.