Crime
18-Year-Old Killed, Another Wounded in Lipscomb Double Shooting
Lipscomb, AL – Authorities have identified the 18-year-old victim who was fatally shot in Lipscomb during an early morning incident on February 26.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Marquese Janhari Webster, a Bessemer resident, was killed in the shooting, which occurred at approximately 12:45 a.m. in the 1800 block of Crescent Avenue.
According to investigators, Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of gunfire and learned that a 21-year-old woman, who also suffered a gunshot wound, had driven herself and Webster to UAB Medical West Hospital in Bessemer.
Webster succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 1:20 a.m.
The female victim’s condition has not been disclosed, and details regarding the severity of her injuries remain unclear.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has launched a homicide investigation and is working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
At this time, authorities have not identified any suspects, nor have they disclosed a possible motive. No arrests have been announced.
This marks Lipscomb’s first homicide of 2025, bringing increased concerns about rising gun violence in the area.
Across Jefferson County, 26 homicides have already been reported this year, further underscoring the urgent need to address violent crime in the community.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information related to this case to come forward.
Tips can be submitted to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office or provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
Crime
4 Killed in Eden Crash at Carroll and Church Streets, Driver and Victims Identified
Michael Vernon, driver of dump truck involved charged.
A tragic crash in Eden, North Carolina, has left four people dead and several others injured following a multi-vehicle incident involving a dump truck and a utility work crew.
The Eden Police Department confirmed the incident occurred Thursday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Church Street, Carroll Street, and Park Road.
According to a news release from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), 66-year-old Michael Ray Vernon of Eden was operating a 2016 Hino dump truck owned by the City of Eden.
While traveling northbound on Carroll Street, Vernon failed to stop at a posted stop sign at the intersection with Church Street.
The dump truck proceeded through the intersection, striking six pedestrians—utility workers contracted through Carolina Power and Signalization—who were performing powerline work in the area.
The dump truck continued traveling north after striking the pedestrians, colliding with an occupied bucket truck before veering off the road and crashing into a ditch.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies arrived at the scene within minutes. Four of the six pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Douglas Garland Sides, 72, of Summerfield
- Madison Carter, 42, of Sandy Ridge
- William Evans, 35, of Randleman
- Matthew Lockwood, 30, of Winston-Salem
The two surviving pedestrians sustained life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to medical facilities.
They have been identified as:
- Hunter Carter, 24, of Reidsville – transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in critical condition
- Kevin Alexander, 34, of Eden – airlifted in stable condition
Cody Rich, 31, of Reidsville, who was inside the bucket truck at the time of the crash, was transported by ground to UNC Health Rockingham with non-life-threatening injuries.
Michael Vernon sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
He has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Investigators confirmed that impairment is not believed to have played a role in the crash.
Further charges may be considered as the investigation progresses.
The intersection remained closed for several hours as law enforcement officers and emergency crews conducted their investigation.
The area was reopened to traffic at approximately 10:30 p.m.
In a statement, Duke Energy, which works in coordination with Carolina Power and Signalization, expressed condolences:
“We are saddened about the tragic event that happened today, and our hearts go out to the families and teammates of those involved. The safety of our employees, contractors, and customers is the highest priority at Duke Energy. We are working closely with law enforcement officials.”
The NCSHP continues to lead the investigation, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact local authorities.