In the quiet town of Eutaw, Alabama, the holiday spirit was shattered by violence on Christmas Day, resulting in the death of 21-year-old Jaylen Carter. The fatal incident, which marked the first and only homicide in Eutaw for the year 2023, occurred in the Branch Heights community. Carter was shot multiple times and killed following an alleged argument.
The dispute reportedly stemmed from a lost 9-millimeter handgun. Investigations suggest that 28-year-old Brandon Powell had lost the firearm during a fight at a club approximately two months prior to the shooting. It is believed that Carter found the handgun and kept it. On Christmas night, an argument erupted between the two men concerning the firearm, which tragically escalated to the fatal shooting of Carter.
In the wake of the shooting, law enforcement acted swiftly, arresting Brandon Powell. He has since been charged with capital murder and is being held in the Greene County jail. The investigation into the homicide was a collaborative effort involving the Eutaw Police Department, the Demopolis Police Department, the 17th Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force, and the Alabama Bureau of Investigation.
The aftermath of the incident saw tensions rise in the community. Threats were reportedly made against two of Powell's relatives who work at Eutaw City Hall. In response to these threats, and to allow for a thorough investigation into them, City Hall was temporarily closed.
