Timothy Pearson, 57, was killed in a shooting at his Melvin, Alabama home shortly after midnight on January 8, 2021. A former U.S. Marine and retired postmaster, Pearson had been pastor of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church for nearly 15 years and was active on several local boards and organizations. Deputies found him with multiple gunshot wounds; his wife of 34 years, Melony Pearson, was also wounded and flown to a Meridian medical center in serious condition and later reported stable.

An 18-year-old woman, Melissa Breauna Hill, surrendered the same day and was charged with murder and attempted murder; bond was set at over one million dollars. On March 8, 2021, U.S. Marshals arrested Shannon Xavier Pearson, 25, in Plano, Texas, and charged him with murder, conspiracy to murder his father, and attempted murder of his mother; his bond was set at one million dollars. Authorities have not released a motive.

Did anyone in the area know of tensions or disputes involving the Pearson family that might help explain what happened?