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.
Crime
18-year-old Kyler Naely charged for the murder in shooting death of 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams
An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged in a deadly shooting that occurred in October, which claimed the life of a 16-year-old and injured another.
The incident began on October 6, 2024, shortly after 12:45 a.m., when officers were called to a shooting on I-244 near Yale Avenue.
Upon arrival, they discovered a gray SUV riddled with bullet holes and shattered windows. Investigators determined that seven people were inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Two occupants of the vehicle suffered gunshot wounds.
One victim, 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams, sustained critical injuries and succumbed to them several weeks later. The other victim suffered a minor gunshot wound to the arm and survived.
Preliminary investigations revealed the incident was linked to a fight at the Tulsa State Fair earlier that evening.
Witnesses reported that the altercation, which occurred as the group was leaving the fairgrounds, likely escalated into the highway shooting.
Following an in-depth investigation, Tulsa Police Homicide Detectives identified 18-year-old Kyler Naely as the suspect responsible for the shooting.
On November 19, 2024, Naely was arrested, charged with first-degree murder, and booked into the Tulsa County Jail.
Authorities emphasize that the case remains under investigation and are urging anyone with additional information to contact Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS. Callers can remain anonymous.