The life of Arthur Douglas Hudson, a 54-year-old man, came to a violent end on a Tuesday night in Birmingham, Alabama. The fatal incident on June 4, 2019, began just after 11 p.m. when city police officers conducting a traffic stop witnessed a red Ford F-150 pickup truck speeding past them. The truck came to an abrupt halt, and the driver got out and ran behind a nearby house.
Moments later, the officers heard the sound of gunshots. As they moved to investigate the commotion, they discovered Arthur Hudson, who had been shot twice, attempting to climb over a fence. The officers tried to render aid, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the truck was identified as Mercutio Southall Jr., a prominent local activist. A woman who was a passenger in Southall's truck, identified as his sister, was also treated for lacerations. Authorities arrested Southall in the aftermath of the shooting.
Southall was initially charged with manslaughter in connection with Arthur Hudson's death. In March 2020, a grand jury returned an indictment against him on the more serious charge of murder. As of that indictment, the case was proceeding through the legal system.
