Homicide investigation underway on 17th Ct. in Phenix City

PHENIX CITY, Ala. (WTVM) - A shooting in broad daylight claimed the life of a 26-year-old college student in Phenix City.

On Sept. 12 around 2 p.m., the Phenix City Police department was dispatched to 17th Court near Pine Street in reference to a person being shot. Upon arrival, they discovered 26-year-old Darrell Hunter Jr dead inside of his apartment complex.

“At this time this is an ongoing investigation we ask anyone that has any information about this or knows anything about it please contact Phenix City Police department,” said Skip Lassiter, the Phenix City commander of criminal investigations.

Lassiter said at this moment they are not releasing if there is a suspect or a motive in this case.

‘’We’re early on in the investigation, so I don’t want to speculate or anything like that. My guys just need time. They do very good work. They just need time to do the work that we have to do,’' he said

Hunters’ family members said he was a nice and loving person who did not deserve this. His relative who did not want to be identified said he was working towards his career goals.

‘’He was going to school to do heating and air. He was going to CVCC (Chattahoochee Valley Community College). He had just started this fall semester,actually my sister helped him get enrolled in everything. So, he was definitely headed in the right direction,” the relative said. “I just had seen him yesterday actually came by here see who’s on the couch playing a game with his friend.”

A resident who lives near the area where the shooting took place said she heard the sirens, and she never imagined it was a shooting.

‘’It’s just a shock. It’s amazing. It’s just a shock’'

Hunter’s body will be sent to Montgomery for an autopsy.

The Phenix City Police Department is urging people with any information to contact them.

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