Michael Phillip Cole, 16, was reported missing by his family and a four-day search ended with his body found off Selma Highway in Montgomery, Alabama. Investigators say Cole had been with a group that included two 18-year-olds, Nicholas King Shepard and Ned Van Jones Jr., and others who went to a Gaston Avenue home on January 25 to retaliate against someone they believed had stolen firearms. During shooting into the residence, Cole was accidentally struck by gunfire.

According to the investigation, those present placed Cole’s body in a vehicle, later drove to a different location and set the body on fire; severe burns were noted when the body was recovered. Police found the vehicle with missing seat cushions and blood on the seatbelt and floorboard. Authorities arrested Shepard and Jones on felony murder charges, and later arrested an 18-year-old named Jerel Brown on the same charge. Shepard and Jones have reportedly confessed; Jones has been released on bond while Shepard remains in custody. Defense attorneys for the initial two suspects noted they had no prior criminal history during a bail hearing.

If anyone has information about who was at the Gaston Avenue scene or saw activity near Selma Highway around late January, please share what is known.