In the small community of Shorterville, Alabama, the life of Danny Dale Cullins, a 26-year-old Black man, was cut short on the evening of October 2, 2022. Known for his love of music and for being the life of the party, Cullins was a 2015 graduate of Abbeville High School. He had a passion for playing the drums, which he developed in middle school, and enjoyed recording music and spending time with his son and family.
The night he died, Cullins was at a football watch party on County
Road 57. An argument reportedly broke out between Cullins and another man, Ryan Tolbert. Investigators stated that the dispute began after Cullins approached Tolbert and told him to get up from his seat. The verbal altercation escalated, and Cullins allegedly punched Tolbert in the face.
Following the initial confrontation, Tolbert is said to have left the party and driven to his home. There, he retrieved his father's shotgun and returned to the gathering. He then allegedly shot and killed Danny Cullins. In a turn of events, Tolbert, accompanied by his father, drove to the Headland police station where he surrendered to authorities.
Ryan Tolbert was subsequently arrested and faced legal proceedings. An investigator with the Henry County Task Force testified during a preliminary hearing about the events that transpired. Tolbert was charged with capital murder, and the case was set to be heard by a grand jury.
