Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office issued the following announcement on Dec. 23.
On October 9 2020 at approximately 10:42 PM a family of four was travelling along Interstate I 20/59 near the 96 mile marker. The family was driving a dark gray or black 2007 GMC Yukon. The father was driving, and the mother and two young children, including a 10 month old, were sleeping. The family was driving from Georgia to Texas to visit family. As they drove through Tuscaloosa County a vehicle pulled alongside and fired multiple rounds into the family’s vehicle. The father was struck in his back and was immediately paralyzed from the torso down. Other rounds narrowly missed the children and mother. Being paralyzed the father did not have the use of his legs or feet and could not use the brakes. Amazingly, the father was able to maintain control of the vehicle, shift it into neutral, and control the vehicle until it stopped. The family had no interactions with any vehicles or other persons that would have provoked this encounter. The father is in a long term rehab facility and it is unknown if he will ever regain use of his legs. The victims were unsure of a description of the suspect vehicle during this chaotic event. The Violent Crimes Unit responded along with Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office that night and have been investigating this heinous crime ever since.
The Violent Crimes Unit requested a reward from the Governor’s Office, and we were informed that it had been approved. Governor Ivey approved a $5000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s). This reward shall include only private citizens and shall not include members or employees of any government law enforcement agency or their relatives. We would like to thank the Governor and her office for their assistance.
We hope that this reward will encourage anyone with any information to come forward. Any person who believes that they witnessed this incident or believes that may have any information regarding this crime to please contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (205) 464-8690 or the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at (205) 752-0616.
Original source can be found here.
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