A 20-year-old Oxford, Alabama, man has been charged with felony murder after an alleged robbery attempt ended in a fatal shooting in Tuscaloosa on Friday, October 10. Daronte Collins, 20, is accused in connection with gunfire in the parking lot of the Magnolia Apartments on AL-69 South that left 20-year-old Kurtae’vious Earl Tyson dead.
TL;DR: Around 7:30 p.m. Friday, Collins and Tyson — both of Oxford — allegedly attempted to rob a 25-year-old Tuscaloosa resident in the apartment complex parking lot, and gunfire was exchanged during the encounter. Collins was arrested and charged with felony murder, first-degree robbery, attempted murder, and shooting into an occupied vehicle. He is being held without bond under Aniah’s Law at the Tuscaloosa County Jail.
Gunfire in the Apartment Parking Lot
Around 7:30 p.m. on October 10, two men from Oxford allegedly attempted to rob a 25-year-old Tuscaloosa resident in the parking lot of the Magnolia Apartments on Alabama Highway 69 South. During the encounter, gunfire was exchanged, according to The Tuscaloosa News.
Tyson was fatally shot in the exchange. Investigators have not released details about any other injuries in the initial account. The parking lot of a residential apartment complex became a crime scene as police secured the area and began collecting evidence Friday night.
Felony Murder and the Charges Against Collins
Collins now faces four charges: felony murder, first-degree robbery, attempted murder, and shooting into an occupied vehicle. Under Alabama law, a felony murder charge can apply when someone is killed during the commission of certain felonies, even if the accused did not personally fire the fatal shot. Collins is presumed innocent, and the charges are accusations unless and until proven in court.
He is being held without bond under Aniah’s Law, the Alabama constitutional provision that allows judges to deny bail to defendants charged with certain serious violent offenses. He remains in the Tuscaloosa County Jail as the case moves forward.
What Investigators Are Still Working On
Detectives are continuing to investigate the shooting, including exactly how the confrontation began and who fired which shots during the exchange of gunfire. The 25-year-old Tuscaloosa resident who was the alleged target of the robbery attempt is a key part of that reconstruction. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Tuscaloosa police.
Aniah’s Law and Pretrial Detention
Collins is being held without bond under Aniah’s Law, named for Aniah Blanchard, the Alabama college student whose 2019 killing led to a constitutional amendment expanding the list of offenses for which judges may deny bail. The law allows courts to hold defendants charged with certain serious violent crimes without bond while their cases are pending.
For Collins, that means he will remain in the Tuscaloosa County Jail as the felony murder, robbery, attempted murder, and shooting-into-an-occupied-vehicle charges move through the court system. His defense will have the opportunity to challenge the charges at preliminary hearings and, eventually, at trial, where prosecutors must prove each count beyond a reasonable doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who died in the Tuscaloosa shooting?
Kurtae’vious Earl Tyson, 20, of Oxford, Alabama. He was fatally shot during the encounter in the Magnolia Apartments parking lot.
Who has been charged?
Daronte Collins, 20, also of Oxford, Alabama, has been charged in connection with the shooting.
What charges does Daronte Collins face?
Felony murder, first-degree robbery, attempted murder, and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
Where and when did the shooting happen?
In the parking lot of the Magnolia Apartments on Alabama Highway 69 South in Tuscaloosa, around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 10.
What allegedly happened?
According to investigators, Collins and Tyson allegedly attempted to rob a 25-year-old Tuscaloosa resident in the apartment parking lot, and gunfire was exchanged during the encounter.
What is felony murder?
In Alabama, a felony murder charge can apply when a person is killed during the commission of certain felonies. The charge does not require prosecutors to prove the accused personally fired the fatal shot.
What is Aniah’s Law and why is Collins held without bond?
Aniah’s Law is an Alabama constitutional provision that allows judges to deny bail to defendants charged with certain serious violent offenses. Collins is being held without bond under that provision at the Tuscaloosa County Jail.
Where can I read the original report?
The incident was reported by The Tuscaloosa News.
