Laquavius Leon Pearson, 23, was killed in a shooting at about 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2020, at the Marathon gas station on James I. Harrison Parkway in Tuscaloosa, the site also identified as Dave’s Crimson Bar. The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit determined Pearson was shot and killed by his 22-year-old brother, Joshua Pearson. Investigators described the shooting as accidental, saying Joshua was recklessly firing a gun when Laquavius was struck.

Joshua Pearson was taken into custody and charged with reckless murder. A second person was also arrested and charged in connection with the same fatal shooting. The Tuscaloosa Police Department and the Violent Crimes Unit handled the investigation; this case was one of 22 homicides in Tuscaloosa County in 2020, and one of 21 non-justified homicides from that year that led to charges.

If anyone has information about what happened that night or knew Laquavius, please come forward to the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit.