On a spring evening in Stockton, Alabama, the celebratory atmosphere of the annual May Day event, bustling with nearly 1,000 attendees, was irrevocably shattered by the sound of gunfire. On that day, May 11, 2024, 24-year-old Christian Bradley, a male, was fatally shot amidst the chaos that erupted from a sudden argument. The violence of that night resulted in the deaths of two other individuals and left more than a dozen others wounded, turning a communal gathering into a scene of tragedy.
Bradley, a 2019 graduate of Baldwin County High School and a welder, was remembered by his family as a loving father who died while protecting his four-year-old daughter.
The investigation into the mass shooting launched by the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office quickly focused on identifying those responsible for the bloodshed. Authorities appealed to the public for any information or video footage that could help piece together the events of that night. Their efforts led to the arrest of 19-year-old Tyquan French, who was subsequently charged with the intentional murder of Christian Bradley. Investigators stated that Bradley was an intended target, suggesting the shooting stemmed from a dispute that had begun a week earlier at another May Day celebration.
According to court documents and testimony, the events unfolded rapidly after a struggle was observed between Bradley and an acquaintance of French. Witnesses reported seeing French shoot at Christian Bradley three times. During questioning, French allegedly admitted to the shooting, telling investigators he 'just lost it' after his friend, Michael Anderson Jr., was also shot and killed during the incident. Following his arrest, French appeared in court for a bond hearing. Citing the severity of the charges and his criminal history, a judge denied him bond under Aniah's Law, ensuring he would remain in custody until his trial. The investigation into the broader shooting incident remains ongoing as authorities continue to seek justice for all the victims of that tragic day.
