In the late hours of a Tuesday night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the life of 16-year-old Xzorian Gray, a Black male, was tragically cut short. On May 4, 2021, at approximately 11 p.m., gunfire erupted near the intersection of Fosters Ferry Road and 21st Street. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they discovered Xzorian in the driver's seat of his vehicle with a gunshot wound to his head. A female passenger in the car had also sustained gunshot wounds.
Xzorian was rushed to DCH Regional Medical Center, but he did not survive his injuries.
Known affectionately as 'X' by his friends and family, Xzorian was remembered as a respectful and gentle young man with a constant, wide grin. His family described him as someone who wasn't a troublemaker but would stand his ground. The events that led to his death reportedly began with a confrontation. An eyewitness stated that multiple individuals began shooting at Xzorian's vehicle, prompting him to speed away. The assailants pursued him and caught up to his car when he stopped at a red light. Unarmed, Xzorian attempted to de-escalate the situation by talking to them, at which point he was shot at point-blank range.
The investigation into the senseless killing quickly led to the identification of two suspects. The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit arrested 22-year-old JaShon Griffin and 17-year-old Johnneius Wilson. Both individuals were charged with capital murder and attempted murder, the latter charge stemming from the injuries sustained by the female passenger. Due to the nature of the crime, with the victim being killed inside a vehicle, the charge was elevated to capital murder under Alabama law. Griffin and Wilson were held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond.
Further investigation revealed that Johnneius Wilson was already out on bond for a previous murder charge from June 2020 at the time of Xzorian's death. The investigation into Xzorian's murder was reported to be ongoing, with law enforcement actively seeking other persons of interest. The community and Xzorian's family were left to mourn the profound loss of a young life, with his great-uncle vowing to honor his memory and bring attention to the issue of youth violence in the area.
