A repossession attempt in Birmingham turned fatal in the early morning of January 8, 2009. Jason Lee McLendon, 28, a Pinson resident who worked in the repossession industry, and a colleague were preparing to tow a Cadillac sedan in the 1900 block of 20th Street North at about 2:00 a.m. The vehicle’s owner confronted them, disputing that a payment had been missed. The owner’s brother, identified as Reginald Jackson, then appeared with a rifle and threatened the two men, forcing them to abandon the repo and leave.

As McLendon and his partner drove away, Jackson fired a shot that struck McLendon in the back of the head, killing him. Jackson surrendered to authorities and said he intended only to fire a warning shot into the air. He was initially charged with capital murder and was later convicted of manslaughter. McLendon is survived by his wife, Stephanie Carter McLendon, and their daughter, Kaylee Jade McLendon.

Did anyone in the area witness the confrontation or the vehicle leaving that night?