EIGHT MILE, Ala. — The grief following the death of James Suggs, a 57-year-old contractor, hangs heavy in the air for his partner, Christian Vaughan, who is struggling to comprehend the violent circumstances surrounding his passing. Known affectionately as “Bo,” a childhood nickname bestowed by his mother, Suggs was not only a beloved companion to Vaughan but also a father of five and a cherished grandfather.
On a recent Sunday afternoon, Vaughan and her daughter were going about their day when they were approached at their home by two men in search of Suggs. Vaughan was in the background as her daughter answered the door, instructing her that Suggs was in the back. However, the situation took a dire turn just moments later when a gunshot rang out, shattering their lives in an instant.
Vaughan, initially believing the men were clients seeking Suggs for work, quickly realized the reality of the encounter. “Both of them had guns drawn on him when I came outside,” she recounted, the pain of that moment still palpable. The brothers, identified as James and Austin Wheat-Payne, had traveled from McIntosh to confront Suggs over alleged stolen items from Austin’s home where Suggs had been working.
According to a sheriff’s affidavit, the confrontation escalated when Suggs armed himself with a machete, demanding the men leave his property. The affidavit described how the altercation intensified when Austin allegedly struck Suggs with his handgun, causing it to discharge and hit a nearby shed. In the chaos, Suggs swung the machete, inadvertently making contact with James, resulting in a gunshot that fatally wounded Suggs in the neck.
After the incident, the Wheat-Payne brothers went to a nearby school to report the shooting, where they called 911. Meanwhile, Vaughan and her daughter desperately attempted to save Suggs, with Vaughan’s daughter sustaining an injury in the chaotic aftermath. “There’s no way he could have made it,” Vaughan mourned, recounting the blood still evident in the driveway where Suggs fell.
Suggs was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital, leaving behind a devastated family. The Wheat-Payne brothers have since been charged with murder and have entered not guilty pleas. Their attorney argues that the incident was a case of self-defense, a claim that adds another layer of complexity to this tragic event. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September, where the legal proceedings will unfold further.
Vaughan is left grappling with the loss, searching for understanding in a world that now feels irrevocably changed. “Why does someone have to die like that?” she questions, her heart aching not only for her loss but also for her daughter’s traumatic experience. In her memories, Suggs stands not as a criminal but as a family man—one who cherished his loved ones and left a lasting impact on all who knew him.