In the late hours of a spring evening in Montgomery, Alabama, a dispute between two men who knew each other escalated to a fatal conclusion. On April 14, 2018, 30-year-old Tervaris Payne, a Black male, was involved in an altercation that ended in gunfire. The incident occurred in the 1300 block of Old Hayneville Road. Police responded to the scene around 10:30 p.m. to find Payne suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was quickly transported to a local hospital for medical attention.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Tervaris Payne succumbed to his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. An obituary notice confirmed his passing on April 15, 2018. The investigation into his death revealed that the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute. Those who knew Payne described him as a kind and well-liked individual, and his death was met with grief and concern within the Montgomery community.
The investigation led authorities to identify 30-year-old Kendrick A. Johnson as the suspect in the shooting. Johnson was taken into custody and subsequently charged with murder in connection with Tervaris Payne's death. Witnesses reported seeing Payne in a confrontation with another person just before the shooting occurred. According to police, the two men were acquainted, and their confrontation had turned violent, leading to the tragic outcome. The case highlighted broader issues of gun violence and personal disputes in the area.
