On a Wednesday morning in Shelby, Alabama, the quiet of March 15, 2023, was broken by a call to Shelby County 911 at approximately 8:32 a.m. The report detailed a person shot at a residence in the 2500 block of Highway 311. When deputies arrived, they discovered the body of 59-year-old Robert Etress, a male resident of the home, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office immediately began working the case.
Their efforts quickly led them to identify a person of interest. Later that same day, authorities announced they had a suspect in custody. Donald Patrick Johnson, 28 years old at the time, was identified as the individual allegedly responsible for Etress's death.
Following his apprehension, Donald Patrick Johnson was formally charged with the murder of Robert Etress. He was subsequently incarcerated at the Shelby County Jail. In accordance with Aniah's Law, Johnson was held without bond pending further legal proceedings. Sheriff John Samaniego expressed his condolences to the victim's family and commended the swift action of the deputies and investigators in bringing a suspect to justice. The investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting was announced to be ongoing.
