17-year-old killed in May 3 shooting identified as suspect in March shooting on 10th Avenue
DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) — The 17-year-old who arrived at Decatur-Morgan Hospital with a gunshot wound on Friday has died and was identified by police as the suspect in a deadly shooting on March 27.
According to the Decatur Police Department (DPD), officers responded to a reported shooting in the 900 block of 10th Avenue on March 27 around 2:16 p.m. Officers located one victim, a man later identified as 23-year-old Jared Bolden, suffering from gunshot wounds at the scene.
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Bolden was transported to Decatur-Morgan Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
Detectives responded to conduct an investigation. DPD said during the investigation, the shooting suspect was identified as a 17-year-old boy, who was never found by detectives.
On April 30, Bama Pawn in Decatur reported a burglary, where a number of guns and other items were taken. Detectives with DPD and members of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began an investigation into the incident.
On May 3, DPD officers responded to Decatur Morgan Hospital after a male juvenile arrived at the hospital with an apparent gunshot wound. DPD’s Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and determined the shooting occurred on 7th Street Southeast.
DPD said the victim, later identified as the 17-year-old suspect in the March shooting on 10th Avenue, was taken to Huntsville Hospital for treatment. On May 5, 2024, the department says the teen died from his injuries.
A 14-year-old was named the suspect in the shooting on May 3 on 7th Street and was arrested. They were originally charged with first-degree assault and first-degree receiving stolen property, but since the victim died – the assault charge was upgraded to manslaughter.
“It was discovered that the vehicle the victim arrived at the hospital in was reported stolen on February 3, 2024, from the 1800 block of Beltline Road Southwest,” DPD said in a release about the investigation.
The department confirmed Kaleb Kirk and three juveniles had the vehicle that was reported stolen. Detectives also believe that this vehicle was the one involved in the burglary at Bama Pawn.
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Stolen guns were also found at a home in southwest Decatur when police executed a search warrant, DPD added. It was confirmed that all of the guns that were located were stolen from Bama Pawn.
Kirk is charged with first-degree receiving stolen property and second-degree receiving stolen property. He is being held at the Morgan County Jail on a $7,500 bond.
DPD says the two other teens were charged with receiving stolen property.
All three of the teenagers were taken to the Tennessee Valley Juvenile Detention Facility in Tuscumbia, Alabama, per the Morgan County Juvenile Probation Office.
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Further investigation led to Victoria Thomas also being in possession of a stolen firearm. She is charged with second-degree receiving stolen property and was held at the Morgan County Jail on a $2,500 bond.
If you have any information regarding the stolen guns, please contact DPD at 256-341-4660.
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