In the spring of 2015, the Gadsden community was shaken by the untimely death of 17-year-old Anthony Terome Hale, Jr. A promising student-athlete at Gadsden City High School, Hale was a talented football and basketball player who was being recruited by several colleges. Known for his bright smile and respectful demeanor, he was a beloved son, grandson, brother, and friend.
His life was tragically cut short on the night of Friday, March 13, 2015, when he was fatally wounded by gunfire.
The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Status Lounge on Broad Street, which had been hosting a teen party. A large crowd of over 100 young people had gathered in the area when altercations broke out. Amid the chaos, gunshots were fired into the crowd. Hale, who was not involved in the disputes, was attempting to leave the scene when he was struck in the back of the head by a stray bullet. He was transported to UAB Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day, March 14, 2015.
The Gadsden Police Department launched an investigation that led to the identification of suspects. Three individuals were eventually arrested in connection with the shooting. One of the primary suspects was Robert Sydrious Thornton. According to witness testimony, Thornton had pulled out a 9mm pistol with an extended magazine and fired at least 14 shots into the crowd of teenagers.
The legal proceedings that followed were lengthy, delayed in part by the COVID-19 pandemic and Thornton's involvement in another serious crime in Madison County. In December 2021, an Etowah County jury found Robert Sydrious Thornton guilty of the murder of Anthony Hale. The following month, he was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison, with the possibility of up to 99 years or life imprisonment. A co-defendant in the case was killed during a home invasion robbery in Huntsville before he could be tried for his involvement in Hale's death. Throughout the trial, it was emphasized that Anthony Hale was an innocent victim whose life was senselessly taken.
