Students, staff and community members gathered at Alabama State University on Thursday night to honor the lives of the victims of the Charleston church shooting during a candlelight vigil. During the service, university students read scripture and poetry. Nine candles were lit as members of the Student Government Association read the names and passed around pictures of the nine victims. Alabama State University President Gwendolyn Boyd also addressed attendees during the vigil, saying that it was important to recognize the lives of the victims and how the tragedy demonstrates how the fight for civil rights is still ongoing.
Medicaid Fraud
An Ohio man has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty in Montgomery County Circuit Court to defrauding the Alabama Medicaid Agency. A Thursday press release from Attorney General Luther Strange says 30-year-old Darnell D. Nash of Cleveland, Ohio pleaded guilty to one count Medicaid fraud. The sentence will run concurrently with a federal 15-year sentence for unrelated crimes.
Teen Drowns
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin has confirmed a Wetumpka High School student drowned in Lake Jordan. WSFA-TV reports 15-year-old Tavontae Austin had been jumping off the pier with friends at Bonner's Point near Slapout Thursday evening when he became distressed and witnesses said he panicked. People in the area attempted to assist him but were unsuccessful. This is the second drowning at Lake Jordan in just over a month.
Poultry Massacre
A north Alabama teenager has been arrested after authorities say he killed six of his mother's chickens in a bizarre threat after asking her to fix his relationship with his girlfriend. Authorities say 18-year-old Hayden Smith was arrested in Elkmont on Thursday and charged with domestic violence third degree and criminal mischief. Deputies say Smith threatened to kill one of his mother's chickens every 15 minutes until she contacted his girlfriend's parents and attempted to mend their relationship. The sheriff's office says Smith gave his mother a noon deadline before he started killing the chickens. Deputies say he sent her pictures of each chicken he killed at 15 minute intervals, killing six before he was arrested. He also threatened to burn his mother's house down, kill deputies and himself.