In the early morning hours of August 15, 2020, 24-year-old Levi Benjamin Lawrence of Cullman was killed during a violent encounter at a residence on County Road 1854 in the New Canaan area of Cullman County, Alabama. Lawrence had been invited to the home by acquaintances; the situation escalated into a shooting that also left a woman seriously injured and killed 36-year-old Dalton Matthew Bannister of Blountsville.

Investigators say the episode stemmed from a planned robbery. Sheriff’s Office findings reported that Bannister and 26-year-old Tyler Dwight Dooley of Arab conspired to rob Lawrence. When Lawrence tried to leave, he was confronted by an armed Bannister; Lawrence, who was also armed, fired back. Both men were found dead at the scene.

Dooley fled initially but was later arrested in Arab and charged with murder in Lawrence’s death. Subsequent arrests included 21-year-old Jacob Andrew Drane of New Canaan and 20-year-old Samantha Star Robertson of Blountsville on murder charges, and 48-year-old Ricky Dale Martin of New Canaan on a drug paraphernalia count. The sheriff described Lawrence as acting in self-defense and expressed condolences to his family.

If anyone knew Levi, was at the County Road 1854 residence that night, or has information about the planned robbery, please come forward with what was seen or heard.