Justin Lumniel Bruno, a 22-year-old man from Harpersville, Alabama, died on October 16, 2020, after a late-night robbery turned violent at the Harpersville Motel in Shelby County. Investigators said the incident unfolded on a Friday night as police began piecing together reports of a robbery and a shooting at the property, where Bruno was identified as the person killed.
In the days that followed, authorities described an active investigation and emphasized that they did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the public while leads were pursued. The case centered on what happened inside the motel during the robbery, and as details emerged, law enforcement worked to identify and locate the people they believed were involved.
Months later, arrests were announced in connection with the deadly motel robbery. Shelby County records cited in reporting showed Morgan Terra Thornton was taken into custody on February 11, 2021, and Mandrel Jarmane Datcher was taken into custody on February 20, 2021, each on murder and robbery charges. Reporting also stated both were being held on bonds totaling $210,000 each at the time.
A third suspect, Amanda Buras, was captured out of state on February 24, 2021, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, after authorities received information that she was wanted as a fugitive in Shelby County on armed robbery and homicide charges. She was held at the Calcasieu Parish jail while awaiting extradition back to Alabama, and Louisiana authorities also reported local charges tied to alleged possession of heroin, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.
