On a tragic Saturday in June, what was meant to be a somber farewell for a beloved family member turned into a scene of violence and loss at a cemetery in Fort Deposit, Alabama. Jerry Lee Gipson, a 47-year-old male, was shot and killed on June 26, 2021, during the graveside service for his own brother, who had passed away from cancer. The peaceful gathering of about 60 mourners was shattered by an unexpected and fatal altercation.
The disturbance began when a man, later identified as Jerald Little, arrived at the Fort Deposit cemetery in a white SUV and began playing loud music, disrupting the solemnity of the funeral. Family members approached the vehicle to ask Little to be respectful and either turn down the music or leave the premises. This request was met with anger and aggression from Little, who responded with cursing and threats towards the funeral attendees. Earlier that day, Little had attended the initial memorial service at a municipal complex but was asked to leave due to his disruptive behavior.
The confrontation at the cemetery escalated with shocking speed. A female companion in the vehicle with Little reportedly brandished a handgun, which Little then took from her. He proceeded to open fire from the passenger seat of the SUV, discharging eight or nine shots into the crowd of mourners. In the ensuing chaos, four people were struck by the gunfire. Jerry Lee Gipson suffered a fatal wound and died at the scene.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement identified 40-year-old Jerald Little as the primary suspect. Witnesses at the funeral identified Little as the shooter. Investigators recovered four spent casings from the scene, and it was discovered that Little was a convicted felon and therefore prohibited from possessing ammunition. Little was later arrested and faced legal consequences for his actions. In March, a jury found him guilty of illegally possessing the ammunition, and he was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for this charge. In addition to the federal conviction, Little has also been charged with murder and attempted murder in state court for the shooting at the cemetery.
