In the quiet Roebuck Springs community of Birmingham, Alabama, the evening of August 29, 2019, took a tragic turn for 78-year-old Louis 'Louie' Charles Zicarelli. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, he was known for his friendly and outgoing nature. That night, at approximately 9:30 p.m., a knock at the front door of his home on 9th Court Circle South shattered the peace.
When Zicarelli went to see who was there, he was met with fatal violence.
Responding to a report of a person shot, Birmingham police officers arrived to find Zicarelli unresponsive in the front room of his residence, having sustained a gunshot wound. Birmingham Fire and Rescue and the Jefferson County Coroner's Office were also at the scene and pronounced him deceased. Investigators soon learned that after the shooting, the assailant or assailants had stolen Zicarelli's car, adding a layer of robbery to the heinous crime. The initial investigation did not immediately identify any suspects, leaving a community in shock and a family devastated by the sudden and senseless loss of a man who was remembered for his warm smile and kindness.
The investigation into the homicide progressed, and on September 11, 2019, a break in the case occurred. Vestavia Hills police located and pursued Zicarelli's stolen vehicle, leading to the apprehension of the driver. The suspect was identified as 18-year-old Eric Kindred. Following his capture, the Birmingham Police Department announced that they had issued warrants for Kindred's arrest in connection with Zicarelli's death. He was subsequently charged with capital murder, theft of property, and burglary, and was taken into custody at the Jefferson County Jail, bringing a measure of resolution to the search for the person responsible for the death of Louis Zicarelli.
