In the early morning hours of October 28, 2023, in Birmingham, Alabama, a dispute between two men who knew each other escalated to a fatal conclusion. Rodger Davis, a 65-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, was shot and killed following an argument. The incident occurred at approximately 1:40 a.m. in the 600 block of 13th Street Ensley. When Birmingham police officers arrived at the scene, they found Davis unresponsive.
Despite the efforts of Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, he was pronounced dead at the location.
The investigation into the death of the beloved grandfather of three quickly led to a suspect. Several hours after the shooting, police took 57-year-old Timothy Lee Williams into custody in the 700 block of 19th Street South. Williams was subsequently charged with the murder of Rodger Davis. Although he was initially released on bond, he was later returned to the Jefferson County Jail following his conviction.
The legal process culminated in a trial that began on a Monday in Jefferson County Circuit Judge Michael Streety's courtroom. By noon on the following Wednesday, the jury had reached a guilty verdict, convicting Timothy Lee Williams of murder. The prosecution was handled by Deputy District Attorneys Blake Owens and Bella Colombo, while Williams was represented by attorney Antonio Spurling. Following the conviction, Davis's family expressed their gratitude that justice had been served. Williams's sentencing was scheduled for November 10. The tragic death of Rodger Davis brought attention to the devastating impact of gun violence on families and communities.
