Cedric Lamont Crutcher was 17 when he was fatally shot after leaving services at the Northwest Church of Christ in Huntsville on Sunday, January 16, 2000. The shooting occurred in the church parking lot as Cedric was with family; witnesses say his 41-year-old stepfather, Byron Bonner, was waiting there and an exchange of words preceded multiple gunshots, one striking Cedric in the back of the head. The attack happened in view of other church members and children. Cedric was taken to a local hospital and died hours later.

Reports connect the shooting to domestic conflict: Bonner and Cedric’s mother, Edna, were reportedly divorcing, she had sought a restraining order, and police had been called to her home earlier the same day because of Bonner’s presence. After about nine hours on the run, Bonner surrendered at the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham and was to be returned to Huntsville to face a murder charge.

If anyone attended the church that day or remembers seeing Cedric, his family, or Bonner in the parking lot, please share what you know.