Teen Charged With Capital Murder After Friday Morning Shooting At Creekwood Village

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit has arrested a teenager for capital murder following a shooting during an alleged robbery early Friday morning that left one man dead.

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

As Patch previously reported, investigators told local media that one male victim died as a result of the shooting at Creekwood Village Apartments on 40th Avenue. The teen remains in the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond and has not been publicly named due to being under the age of 18.

In an update Friday afternoon, Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the multiagency unit, said officers with the Tuscaloosa Police Department were contacted at about 2 a.m. at TPD's West Precinct office by several people who had driven to the precinct for help.

Kennedy said a shooting victim — 20-year-old Derrick Wilder Jr. — was in the vehicle and ultimately died from his injuries. He then went on to say the actual scene of the shooting was at Creekwood Village.

"After processing the scene, interviewing witnesses, and obtaining multiple sources of video evidence, a suspect was developed," Kennedy explained. "The suspect was unable to be located at that time. Along with assistance of the District Attorney’s Office, facts were presented to a magistrate and a warrant was obtained for Capital Murder."

Kennedy said the capital enhancement for the teenage suspect arose from the fact that the murder occurred during an apparent robbery where property was stolen.

"Once the warrants were obtained, the US Marshall’s Task Force along with the Tuscaloosa Police Department Special Response Team (SRT) assisted in the search for the suspect," he said. "Utilizing these assets, the suspect was located this morning and taken into custody. Investigators with the Violent Crimes Unit then interviewed the suspect, along with several other persons of interest that had now been developed. Multiple search warrants were executed and narcotics were also recovered."

An additional individual was arrested by investigators with the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force.

Kennedy said the investigation is ongoing and other charges are possible.

"This case was another example of the different police agencies, along with specialized units and divisions working together to respond, investigate, locate, and arrest a dangerous subject," he said.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com