In the late summer of 2019, the life of Douglas Dewayne Sparks, a 49-year-old White/Caucasian male from Wellborn, Alabama, was tragically cut short. On the evening of September 14th, in Gadsden, Sparks was fatally shot while working as a plumber at a private residence. A master plumber, electrician, and gas fitter for First Action Plumbing, he was known as a loving husband, father, brother, and friend who was deeply devoted to his family. His unexpected death left his community in shock and his loved ones, including his wife, five children, and several grandchildren, heartbroken.
The events leading up to the tragedy began a week prior when Orva Kyle McDonald Jr., a 61-year-old Gadsden resident, hired Sparks to repair a clogged sink. Satisfied with his work, McDonald then employed Sparks for a more extensive plumbing replacement at his home. On the day of the incident, Sparks had been working at the McDonald residence for most of the day. In a gesture of hospitality, McDonald had even prepared a sandwich for Sparks, which he appeared to be eating at the time of the shooting. Around 7:20 p.m., Etowah County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the home after reports of a shooting and discovered Sparks' body in the side yard.
The only other individuals present at the home were Orva Kyle McDonald Jr. and his wife. McDonald's wife was on the front porch when she heard the gunshots but did not witness the actual event. In a perplexing turn, McDonald, who had no prior criminal record, claimed to have no memory of the shooting or the moments leading up to it. Investigators took home surveillance footage into evidence, hoping it would provide clarity on the mysterious circumstances surrounding the killing.
Following the investigation, Orva Kyle McDonald Jr. was arrested and charged with the murder of Douglas Dewayne Sparks. He was held on a $1 million bond. As part of the legal proceedings, a judge ordered that McDonald undergo a psychological evaluation before any potential release on bond. The senseless act left a void in the lives of Sparks' family and friends, who remembered him as a man with a big heart who loved everyone, especially his family.
