On a summer afternoon in Gadsden, Alabama, the life of Brad Burt Doleys, a 50-year-old White male, was tragically cut short. On June 22, 2021, what began as a seemingly minor vehicle collision escalated into a fatal shooting that left the community in shock. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on the East Meighan Boulevard bridge, near the intersection with Hood Avenue. Following the collision, an altercation ensued between Doleys and the other driver, 37-year-old Joseph Edward Burnett of Guntersville.
In the moments after the accident, Burnett allegedly fired multiple shots into Doleys' vehicle at point-blank range. According to reports, the bumpers of the two vehicles may have been locked together, preventing an immediate departure from the scene. When law enforcement arrived, they took Burnett into custody without incident. Doleys, who had been a dedicated counselor at Mountain View Hospital since 2001, was transported from the scene to UAB Hospital for treatment, but he later succumbed to his injuries.
Joseph Edward Burnett was initially charged with attempted murder. However, following Doleys' death, the charge was upgraded to capital murder. He was subsequently booked into the Etowah County Detention Center and held without bond. At the time of his arrest, law enforcement had not released a motive for the shooting. The senseless act of violence left a profound void in the lives of Doleys' family, friends, and the many individuals he had helped throughout his career as a compassionate and humorous counselor.
The community mourned the loss of a man known for his ability to connect with and support others. Memorial services were held to honor his life and legacy, drawing together those who had been touched by his kindness and dedication to mental health. The legal process against Joseph Edward Burnett began, with the capital murder charge setting the stage for a lengthy judicial journey. However, details regarding a trial, conviction, or the final resolution of the case against Burnett have not been made publicly available in the period following the initial arrest and charge. The narrative of this tragic event, for now, concludes with a community left to grieve and a legal case yet to reach its ultimate conclusion.
