Kenny Hambright

Kenny Hambright, a 56-year-old Black man, was a resident of Center Point, Alabama, where his life was abruptly cut short in a violent encounter just weeks before Christmas. His death left a void in the lives of those who knew him and prompted a determined investigation by local law enforcement.

The night of Saturday, December 7, 2019, was shattered by the sound of gunfire at an apartment complex on Shadowood Circle. Around 11:06 p.m., deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to the scene following reports of shots fired. When they arrived, they found Kenny Hambright in the parking lot of the complex where he lived, suffering from a serious gunshot wound. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead. The quiet residential area was suddenly a crime scene, as investigators began the painstaking work of processing the area for evidence and speaking with potential witnesses to piece together the final moments of Hambright's life.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office immediately launched a homicide investigation, with detectives pursuing all available leads. In the days following the shooting, the case gained a crucial break when a tip was submitted to Crime Stoppers. This piece of information proved vital, leading investigators to identify a suspect in Hambright's murder. The tip pointed them to 26-year-old Cordlin Garrett, who had reportedly been on the run since the incident.

Based on the information provided, authorities were able to locate and arrest Garrett without incident. He was taken into custody and formally charged with the murder of Kenny Hambright. Following his arrest, Garrett was booked into the Jefferson County Jail, with his bond set at $250,000. The arrest brought a measure of progress to the case, offering the first step toward justice for Hambright and his loved ones.

The city of Center Point is a suburb of Birmingham, a community of about 16,000 people navigating the challenges common to many American cities. The area has contended with its share of violent crime, and each incident leaves a lasting impact on residents and strains law enforcement resources. Hambright's death was a stark reminder of the suddenness with which violence can disrupt a community.

While the legal process began to unfold with the arrest of Cordlin Garrett, the personal loss for Kenny Hambright's family and friends remained immense. The motive behind the shooting was not immediately released by authorities as the investigation continued. The case moved from the streets to the courtroom, where the justice system would determine the final outcome. As of the latest reports from December 2019, the case was proceeding through the courts. Authorities had encouraged anyone with further information to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or to leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.