In the early evening of March 2, 2022, the life of 19-year-old Alijah William Watts was tragically cut short in his hometown of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. A former standout basketball player at Hopkinsville High School, the young Black / African American man found himself the target of a robbery that quickly turned fatal. The incident unfolded at a Casey's General Store on Fort Campbell Boulevard, where Watts was lured under the pretense of a transaction.
The plan was orchestrated by
20-year-old Christian McKeel, who brought two teenagers, 16-year-old Joshua Cotton and 17-year-old Jonathan Weston, with the intent to rob Watts. During the attempted robbery, a struggle ensued, and Cotton fired a gun, striking Watts in the abdomen. Despite being gravely wounded, Watts managed to drive away from the scene. His attempt to flee ended when he crashed his vehicle into a house on East 21st Street. Emergency services transported him to Tennova Healthcare in Clarksville, but he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led to the swift arrest of the three individuals involved. Joshua Cotton was identified as the shooter and faced a murder charge. Christian McKeel was charged with complicity to murder and second-degree robbery for his role in planning the robbery and luring Watts to the location. Jonathan Weston faced charges of facilitation to first-degree assault and first-degree wanton endangerment.
The legal process brought a measure of justice for the senseless killing of Alijah Watts. In September 2023, a jury found Joshua Cotton guilty of murder, first-degree robbery, and theft, resulting in a recommended sentence of 45 years in prison. His accomplices also faced consequences for their involvement. Jonathan Weston entered a guilty plea to reduced charges and, in November 2023, received an 8.5-year prison sentence. Christian McKeel pleaded guilty to facilitation to murder and second-degree robbery, which led to an 11-year prison sentence.
