On a summer morning in Argo, Alabama, the life of Benjamin Craig Sharpton, a 62-year-old White/Caucasian male, was tragically cut short. On August 11, 2023, at approximately 10:35 a.m., Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies were called to a residence in the 8800 block of Gadsden Highway following reports of a domestic-related shooting. At the scene, they found Sharpton had been fatally shot.
Witnesses at the location identified the shooter as his 58-year-old ex-wife, Grace Dunaway Yancey.
She was taken into custody by the authorities at the scene. Following the initial investigation, Yancey was charged with intentional murder in connection with Sharpton's death. She was subsequently booked into the Jefferson County Jail where she was held without bond under "Aniah's Law," a provision that allows judges to deny bail for violent offenders. The motive for the shooting remained under investigation by the authorities.
Benjamin Sharpton, known to his friends and family as "Ben" or "Benji," was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and was a graduate of Erwin High School. He was the owner of a local mechanic business, Sharpton's Auto Repair. Remembered for his kind and compassionate heart, he was known for his willingness to help others. He had a passion for NASCAR, Alabama Football, and Elvis Presley, and was a noted animal lover, with a particular fondness for dogs. He is survived by his two children and grandchildren. Funeral services were held on August 16, 2023, with his burial following at Steele Cemetery. The incident drew attention to the issue of domestic violence within the community.
