On the morning of Saturday, July 19, 2025, police in Alexander City, Alabama, responded to a call on Washington Street and found 32-year-old Toyias Gopher fatally wounded by gunfire. Authorities described the incident as a home invasion robbery that ended Gopher’s life; he is remembered by family and friends as a man with a contagious smile and the father of three.Gopher’s death prompted an active criminal investigation. The Alexander City Police Department sought help from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigations.

Within a short time, two 22-year-old men were arrested and charged with capital murder: Steven Abercrombie of Alexander City and Joshua Travis Etchison of Dadeville. Both were held without bail and bound over to a grand jury after a preliminary hearing.A conflict of interest in the Tallapoosa County District Attorney’s office led to the case being transferred to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office for prosecution.

The community continues to mourn; anyone who knew Toyias or has information about the July 19 incident is asked to come forward.