In the late morning of March 3, 2021, a young Black man, 22-year-old Colby Ross Grepke, found himself stranded with a flat tire on Roxy Street in Prichard, Alabama. As he was waiting for roadside assistance, a senseless act of violence cut his life short. Three men, one of whom was concealed by a ski mask, approached Grepke and opened fire. The assailants then fled the scene in a nearby vehicle.
Tragically, the brutal attack was witnessed by Grepke's sister, who had just arrived to help, and his two-year-old niece who was with her. In a desperate attempt to stop the shooters, his sister drove towards them, and they responded by firing at her vehicle.
Emergency services were called to the scene around 11 a.m., but despite their efforts, Colby Ross Grepke was pronounced dead. The Prichard Police Department's Major Crime Division launched an investigation into the homicide. In the wake of this tragedy, Grepke's mother made a public plea for any information that could lead to the identification and capture of her son's killers, emphasizing the devastating impact on their family, particularly her granddaughter who witnessed the horrific event.
The family held a memorial service to honor Colby's life and memory. However, the pain of their loss was compounded by the lack of resolution in the case. As of September 2021, the investigation had not resulted in any arrests, and no suspects had been publicly identified. The Prichard Police Department continued to appeal to the public for any information that might bring justice for Colby Ross Grepke and his grieving family. The case remains unsolved, a painful open wound for his loved ones and the community.
