In the predawn hours of June 20, 2019, gunfire erupted at the Holiday Mobile Home Park along Bessemer Super Highway in Brighton, Alabama. Santos Valasquez Merida, 27, was found with gunshot wounds in the 4300 block of Bessemer Super Highway and was taken to UAB Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The incident also wounded a second man, who was later found in a crashed car; reports provided no further medical details about that survivor.

Brighton Police led the investigation, canvassing the mobile home park and speaking with witnesses as they sought to establish what happened and whether the shooting occurred at multiple locations or involved a chase or attempted escape. Initial accounts did not identify a suspect or report any arrests connected to Merida’s killing. If anyone has information about the shooting or knew Santos Valasquez Merida, please come forward to help the investigation.