A domestic dispute on New Year’s Day in Hartselle, Alabama, ended with the death of 34-year-old Steven Eric McCulloch. The shooting occurred January 1, 2026, at a residence in the 1100 block of Highway 36 East. Morgan County deputies were called about 2:45 p.m.; McCulloch was found with a gunshot wound and died later that day.

Investigators say there had been an ongoing conflict between McCulloch and another man, Roger Timothy Clayton, and deputies had been called to the same address the day before for a harassment complaint. A Somerville police officer responding to a separate 911 call just before 3:00 p.m. located and arrested Clayton, and a gun was recovered from inside Clayton’s home. The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office charged Roger Timothy Clayton with murder in connection with McCulloch’s death; Clayton appeared in court for a bond hearing.

If anyone witnessed the events at the Highway 36 East residence on December 31 or January 1, or has information about the dispute between McCulloch and Clayton, please come forward.