Shawn Christopher Ahrent was 20 and a tattoo artist from Clay, Alabama when he died on December 12, 2008. He suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest at a residence on Clearview Road in the Palmerdale area of Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office investigated and charged a friend, 21-year-old Jeremiah Lee Wright, with manslaughter. Initial reports described the shooting as accidental; investigators concluded Wright was recklessly handling a firearm when it discharged, fatally wounding Ahrent. The charge of manslaughter indicates authorities treated the death as unintentional but criminally negligent.

If anyone knew Shawn, Jeremiah, or was in the Palmerdale area that day, please share what you remember.