In the early hours of a January morning, a gathering in the Buhl community of Tuscaloosa County turned deadly, claiming the life of 20-year-old Cayden Beau Nolen. The young man, from nearby Moundville, was at a venue off Pate Road on January 20, 2024, when an altercation broke out. Gunfire erupted around 3 a.m., leaving four people wounded. Nolen succumbed to his injuries, while two others were hospitalized with serious injuries and a fourth sustained non-critical wounds.
Investigators
from the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit worked to piece together the events of that fatal morning. Their efforts, which included interviewing witnesses and processing a large and complex crime scene, led to the identification of three suspects. Later that same day, authorities arrested three men from different parts of Tuscaloosa County in connection with the deadly gunfight.
The suspects were identified as Dallas Clark, 22, of Northport; Jarrett Booth, 21, of Buhl; and Zach Smith, 23, also of Buhl. All three men were charged with one count of murder for the death of Cayden Nolen. Additionally, they each face three counts of attempted murder for the other individuals who were shot and injured during the incident. Following their arrests, the three men were booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail and held without bond. Authorities indicated that more charges could be forthcoming as the investigation continued.
