Crime
21-year-old Jeremiah Matkins arrested in connection to deadly Twin Peaks shooting
An arrest has been made following a deadly shooting at the Twin Peaks restaurant in Huntsville on Saturday night, according to officials.
The Huntsville Police Department confirmed that the incident, which took place just after 9:45 p.m., involved an off-duty officer who was providing security at the venue.
Huntsville Police Chief Kirk Giles reported that two groups began arguing at the popular University Drive restaurant before shots were fired. Emergency services responded immediately after receiving a 911 call.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has identified the suspect as 21-year-old Jeremiah Matkins of Huntsville.
According to officials, Matkins discharged a firearm, fatally wounding 23-year-old Ray’shun Markelle Bates of Decatur.
Matkins was subsequently arrested and charged with murder. He is currently being held at Madison County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
During the incident, the off-duty officer reportedly discharged his weapon; however, ALEA confirmed that no one was struck by the officer’s gunfire.
“During the altercation, some shots were exchanged,” Chief Giles stated. Witnesses at the scene recalled hearing four to five shots, with one victim appearing to be hit in the neck or upper chest.
Some attendees suggested that the argument may have stemmed from a college football game, although this has not been confirmed.
The Madison County Coroner, Dr. Tyler Berryhill, later confirmed that Bates had succumbed to his injuries on Sunday. An autopsy is scheduled for later this week in Huntsville.
Three additional people sustained injuries in the altercation and are still under evaluation.
The investigation has been handed over to ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation for further examination.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.