Two 18-year-olds have been charged in last week’s shooting death of a Loachapoka High School football player.
Elijah Rogers and Barthonia Howard are charged with murder in the Aug. 8 slaying of 16-year-old Javion Gary. They are also charged with attempted murder in the wounding of a 17-year-old.
Both suspects graduated from Notasulga High School on May 21.
The shooting happened about 7:15 p.m. that Thursday in the 100 block of Union Camp Road in Notasulga.
The shooting happened in Macon County, but both victims were both students in Lee County. Sheriff’s deputies from both counties assisted in the investigation led by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
ALEA Lt. Jeremy Burkett on Wednesday said the suspects were taken into custody in Tuscaloosa on Monday.
Rogers and Howard were booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail with a hold for Macon County. They are being held without bond.
Charging documents state the suspects fatally shot Javion and wounded the second victim in the foot while in the process of killing Javion.
A motive has not been disclosed.
Burkett said the investigation is ongoing.
There was an outpouring of mourning on social media following Javion’s murder.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Javion Gary, friends, teammates and everyone in the Loachapoka community,” Powerhouse Sports said in a Facebook post. “Javion was taken from us all too early. A standout athlete and terrific young man off the field.”
