In the late summer evening of September 6, 2014, in Greensboro, Alabama, the joyous sounds of a child's birthday party were tragically silenced by gunfire. Seven-year-old DeCorrin Johnson, a student at Greensboro Elementary, was fatally struck by a stray bullet. The young boy, described as a funny, energetic, and respectful child, was an unintended victim of a dispute that escalated into violence.
The incident unfolded when an argument broke out between two men, later identified as Chapal Williams and Lavoris Jackson. The altercation, which reportedly began inside a residence, spilled outdoors where the men opened fire on each other. DeCorrin, who was playing outside, was caught in the crossfire. His life was cut short in a senseless act of violence that sent shockwaves through the community. Family and friends, who remembered him as an outgoing boy and a wide receiver for the Greensboro Raiders youth football team, were left to mourn the devastating loss.
In the aftermath of the shooting, both Chapal Williams and Lavoris Jackson were arrested and charged with capital murder and attempted murder. During a subsequent court appearance, Jackson's attorney argued that his client had acted in self-defense under Alabama's 'Stand Your Ground' law. However, the district attorney contested this claim, asserting that the circumstances of the shooting, which occurred in a residential area with children present, did not warrant such a defense. The case was then set to be presented to a grand jury.
