On a summer morning in Argo, Alabama, the life of 62-year-old Benjamin Craig Sharpton, a white male from Gadsden, was brought to a tragic and abrupt end. On August 11, 2023, at approximately 10:35 a.m., Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies were called to a domestic-related shooting in the 8800 block of Gadsden Highway. There, they found that Sharpton had been fatally shot.
Witnesses at the scene identified the shooter as Sharpton's 58-year-old ex-wife, Grace Dunaway Yancey.
Yancey was promptly taken into custody by law enforcement and has been charged with intentional murder. Following her arrest, she was held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail under the provisions of 'Aniah's Law.' The specific motive for the shooting remains a subject of ongoing investigation by authorities.
Benjamin Sharpton was born on September 29, 1960, in Birmingham, Alabama. A graduate of Erwin High School, he was the owner of Sharpton's Auto Repair. Known for his kind and compassionate heart, he was remembered as someone always willing to lend a hand to others. His passions included NASCAR, Alabama football, and the music of Elvis Presley. He had a particular love for animals, especially dogs. He is survived by his two children, Amber and Benjamin Jr., as well as his grandchildren and brothers. Funeral services were held on August 16, 2023, followed by his burial at Steele Cemetery.
