In the summer of 2025, a quiet street in Alexander City, Alabama, became the scene of a violent crime that ended the life of 32-year-old Toyias Gopher. On the morning of Saturday, July 19th, law enforcement responded to a call on Washington Street to find Gopher fatally wounded by gunfire. The incident, which authorities would later describe as a home invasion robbery, sent shockwaves through the community.
The investigation into the death of Toyias Gopher, a male with a contagious smile
who was known to be dearly loved by those who knew him, quickly gained momentum. The Alexander City Police Department requested the assistance of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's State Bureau of Investigations. Within a short time, a suspect was identified and taken into custody. Steven Abercrombie, 22, also of Alexander City, was arrested and charged with capital murder. He was subsequently held in the Tallapoosa County Jail. A few days later, a second individual, 22-year-old Joshua Travis Etchison of Dadeville, was also apprehended and faced the same charge of capital murder in connection with the robbery and shooting.
As the legal process began to unfold, an unusual development emerged in the case. The Tallapoosa County District Attorney's office announced a conflict of interest involving one of its employees, prompting them to recuse themselves from the investigation and prosecution. The case was then handed over to the Alabama Attorney General's Office to ensure impartiality. This move underscored the serious nature of the allegations and the commitment of law enforcement to see that justice was served for Gopher, a father of three.
In the months that followed, Abercrombie and Etchison appeared in court for a preliminary hearing. During this proceeding, details of the events leading to Gopher's death began to surface. Following the hearing, a judge determined there was enough evidence to move the case forward, and the capital murder charges against both men were bound over to a grand jury. Both suspects are being held without bail as they await the next steps in the criminal justice process. The community continues to mourn the loss of Toyias Gopher, who was remembered by loved ones for his joking nature and cherished presence.
