Man Charged With Murder, Victim Identified Following Tuscaloosa County Bonfire Shooting

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A man has been charged with murder following a deadly shooting at a bonfire party in Tuscaloosa County late Sunday night.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, identified the victim as Jerome DeWayne Hughes, 35, who died after being shot multiple times during a gathering in the 4300 block of Culver Road.

Kennedy then said Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr., 23, was charged with murder and arrested within hours of the shooting.

Edwards is being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond.

As Patch previously reported, Kennedy said Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office deputies initially responded to reports of a shooting around 10:20 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8.

TCSO paramedic deputies and NorthStar paramedics treated Hughes at the scene before transporting him to DCH Regional Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

The VCU was then called in to take over the investigation and determined the shooting occurred during a gathering around a bonfire.

Kennedy said after interviewing multiple witnesses and processing physical evidence at the scene, investigators obtained a murder warrant for Edwards.

Within hours, Edwards was located and taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and VCU investigators.

Authorities have not released a possible motive or additional details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Kennedy said those who witnessed the shooting or who may have information about the incident are encouraged to contact the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit at (205) 464-8690.

This is a developing story and Patch will provide updates as more information becomes available.