On the late evening of May 5, 2022, the sound of gunfire shattered the peace on Highland Street in Goodwater, Alabama. At approximately 10:57 p.m., the Goodwater Police Department received a call reporting that several shots had been fired. Upon their arrival at the scene, officers discovered 23-year-old Malik Holtzclaw, a male resident of Goodwater, suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was quickly transported to Russell Medical Center for emergency treatment, but tragically, he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting was a collaborative effort between the Goodwater Police Department and the Coosa County Sheriff's Office. In the early stages of their inquiry, authorities identified and arrested two suspects from the nearby city of Sylacauga. Erskin McKinney, Jr. and Kendartus Hale, both 27 years old at the time, were taken into custody and charged with manslaughter in connection with Holtzclaw's death. Bail for each man was set at $100,000. McKinney, Jr. was able to post his bond, while Hale remained incarcerated. The Coosa County Sheriff's Office continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the homicide.
Malik Ishmael Holtzclaw, born on November 27, 1998, was remembered as a loving individual with a smile that could brighten anyone's day and a knack for saying funny things. At the time of his death, he was a father to a son, and his special friend was pregnant with his children. He left behind a large and loving family, including his parents, Christopher and Tamica Holtzclaw, as well as numerous siblings, grandparents, and other relatives who mourned the profound loss of a young life cut short by violence.
