Cornelius Darnell Witherspoon, 39, was shot and killed in the early morning hours of April 18, 2025. Deputies responding to a shooting around 3 a.m. in the 5400 block of 19th Street East found Witherspoon deceased in his vehicle from a single fatal gunshot wound. He had been living at the residence with his girlfriend and her children.

Investigators say an argument erupted between Witherspoon and the girlfriend’s son and that the dispute escalated when the teenage son shot Witherspoon while he was inside the vehicle. The minor was taken into custody and charged with capital murder; authorities have not released the youth’s identity. Funeral services for Cornelius D. Witherspoon were held May 2, 2025, at the W.E. Lusain Funeral Home Chapel in Birmingham.

If anyone witnessed the incident or knew Cornelius and can help clarify what led to the confrontation, please share what is known with the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office.