On a late Sunday evening in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the life of 22-year-old Dontavius White was tragically cut short. On June 19, 2022, what began as a large gathering or party at the Cottages at Lake Tamaha apartments turned into a scene of violence. An altercation broke out, and in the ensuing chaos, gunshots were fired.
Dontavius White, a male resident of Tuscaloosa, was one of two individuals who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.
He was privately transported to DCH Regional Medical Center, but tragically, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. A second victim, an 18-year-old male whose name was not released, was also shot and taken to the hospital. He underwent surgery and was expected to survive his injuries.
The Tuscaloosa Police Department responded to the shooting at approximately 11:00 p.m., securing the area near the front gate and pool of the apartment complex where the party had been taking place. The investigation was quickly handed over to the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, a multi-agency task force that handles all homicide investigations in the county.
In the immediate aftermath, investigators began the process of interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence from the scene. They publicly appealed for anyone who was at the party or had any information about the shooting to come forward and contact the Violent Crimes Unit. At the time of the initial reports, no arrests had been made in connection with the death of Dontavius White, and no suspects had been publicly identified. The investigation into the circumstances of his death was announced as ongoing.
