On a summer evening in Chalkville, Alabama, a domestic dispute shattered the peace of a family and ended the life of a young man. Dandrei Stepfon Free, a 29-year-old Black / African American male, was fatally shot on August 14, 2022, during a heated argument with his father. The incident, which began inside their residence on Pebble Lake Circle, escalated to a tragic conclusion.
The argument spilled outside, with Henry Edward Freeman, 50, pursuing his son Dandrei and another individual
away from the home and then back again. Upon their return, Henry Freeman exited his vehicle, approached his son's car, and fired multiple shots into it. Dandrei attempted to flee but was struck by the gunfire. He was rushed to a local hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The second person with Dandrei was not harmed.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Henry Freeman fled the scene, prompting a search by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. He was apprehended the following day at a family member's home in Fairfield and was subsequently charged with capital murder. In August of 2023, Henry Freeman pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of murder and received a sentence of 20 years in prison.
Dandrei, known affectionately as 'Dee' or 'Drei,' was remembered as a quiet, calm, and loving person. A graduate of Clay-Chalkville High School, he had attended Jefferson State Community College with aspirations of a career in physical therapy. At the time of his death, he was a dedicated mail handler for the United States Postal Service. Those who knew him recalled his love for music, often seen with headphones and a hat or hoodie, and his passion for video games.
