Tuscaloosa Archives - The American Retiree

Mystery Lingers in Tuscaloosa: Cold Case of Librarian’s Unsolved Murder Reaches 12-Year Mark

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It has been over a decade since Kate Ragsdale, a retired librarian known for her meticulous nature and quiet humor, was found brutally murdered in her own home in The Highlands, a respected old Tuscaloosa neighborhood. Despite the many years that have passed and the myriad theories proposed, the cold case has recently been thrust back into the spotlight as local investigators renew their efforts to solve this perplexing mystery. Kate Ragsdale’s …

Tuscaloosa Party Tragedy: Man Arrested for Fatal Shooting, Claims One Life and Injures Another

TUSCALoOSA, AL — Early Saturday morning, a tragic shooting at a Tuscaloosa house party resulted in the death of one man and the injury of another. Authorities have since arrested 28-year-old Weslie Darnell Tucker, charging him with murder in connection with the incident. The incident occurred in the 2200 block of Herman Avenue, where Tuscaloosa Police were called to the scene around 1:30 a.m. on February 15, 2025, following reports of gunfire. Upon their arrival, …

Fatal Shooting at Tuscaloosa Community Event Leaves Young Man Dead, Investigation Underway

Tuscaloosa, AL – A 23-year-old man lost his life in a shooting incident at a local community center on Saturday, sparking an ongoing investigation by Tuscaloosa authorities. The incident, which unfolded at the McDonald Hughes Community Center located on Martin Luther King Boulevard, occurred during a private event in the late afternoon. At approximately 4 p.m., Tuscaloosa Police received calls reporting the shooting. Responding officers rapidly transported the critically injured man to DCH Regional Medical …

Swift Arrest Made in Tuscaloosa Gas Station Homicide; Local Man Charged with Murder

Tuscaloosa, AL – A tragic shooting at a local gas station late Monday night ended in the death of one man and the swift arrest of the alleged perpetrator, continuing a year marked by violent crime in the city. The Tuscaloosa Police Department responded to emergency calls around 11:30 p.m. at a service station located in the 3000 block of 20th Street in west Tuscaloosa, where they found an adult male victim who had sustained …

Deadly Tuscaloosa Incident: Two Lives Lost, Suspect in Custody After Local Shooting

Tuscaloosa, AL – A tragic shooting incident in Tuscaloosa has left two people dead, with one individual taken into police custody, authorities reported on Sunday. The incident, which unfolded late Saturday evening, has stirred concerns among local residents and prompted a swift response from law enforcement. The violence erupted in a residential neighborhood, alarming those who live nearby. Tuscaloosa Police Department responded to emergency calls and arrived at the scene to discover two victims who …

Fatal Argument Outside Tuscaloosa Hotel: 18-Year-Old Charged with Murder of 21-Year-Old Visitor

Tuscaloosa, AL — An 18-year-old from Winfield has been arrested and charged with the murder of a 21-year-old man following a dispute outside a Tuscaloosa hotel on Saturday night. The incident unfolded outside the Embassy Suites located at 2410 University Boulevard, drawing immediate law enforcement response to the scene. Upon arrival, officers from the Tuscaloosa Police Department discovered the young man deceased with a single gunshot wound. Captain Jack Kennedy, who leads the Tuscaloosa Violent …

Manhunt Intensifies for Suspected Triple Murderer Linked to Tuscaloosa Club Killing and Oklahoma Homicides

Tuscaloosa, AL – Authorities are intensifying their search for a man suspected of committing a series of violent crimes across multiple states, including a recent murder in Tuscaloosa and a double homicide in Oklahoma. Police have identified the fugitive as 50-year-old Stacy Lee Drake, who is believed to have been using numerous aliases to elude capture. Last month, the body of Russell Andrews was discovered at the local Alconon club, where the suspect allegedly committed …

Suspect Arrested in Fatal Tuscaloosa Shooting: One Dead, Three Injured

Tuscaloosa, AL – A recent arrest has been made in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on Sunday morning, resulting in the death of one man and injuring three others. The incident took place outside the Tuscaloosa city limits in the 1300 block of 58th Street. Donavin Ryans, 30, was identified as the victim who tragically lost his life due to the shooting. The other three individuals involved sustained injuries that are fortunately not …

Grieving Tuscaloosa Mother Raises Funds for Slain Son’s Burial

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The community of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is reeling from a tragic incident that claimed the life of a young father, Jacob Crumpton, during a robbery attempt. The grieving mother, Jalena Chamblis, now faces the heartbreaking task of burying her son, as she grapples with the immense loss. Crumpton, just 18 years old, was fatally shot while driving a car that ended up crashing into a home on Reece Boulevard. The devastating loss of …

Shooting Tragedy Leaves Juvenile Dead in Tuscaloosa; Suspect Arrested

Tuscaloosa, Alabama – A tragic incident unfolded on Friday night in Tuscaloosa that resulted in the loss of a young life and altered another forever. A shooting in Tuscaloosa left a juvenile dead, a car crashed into a nearby home, and a teenager in jail, as reported by Captain Jack Kennedy of the multi-agency Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit. Authorities responded to reports of a shooting and car crash in the 2200 block of Reece Boulevard. …