A shopping cart mishap inside an Alabama Walmart escalated into a fatal shooting in a nearby parking lot, leaving a father dead and an 18-year-old facing murder charges.
According to court documents obtained by WBMA, the incident began when Stephen Morrow accidentally bumped into a teenager with his shopping cart while inside the Walmart in Sumiton. The minor collision sparked a verbal argument involving 18-year-old Timothy Braden Crawford.
Following the altercation, Morrow called the Sumiton Police Department and continued shopping with his wife, Kayla.
Investigators stated that Crawford was not taken into custody inside the store and instead followed the Morrows outside. A second confrontation occurred in a nearby parking lot, where Crawford allegedly shot Morrow.
Morrow died from his injuries in front of his wife. In a later Facebook post, Kayla Morrow shared her husband’s final moments, writing that he told her, “Kayla, I’m dying and I love you.” Reflecting on the trauma, she added, “Every time I close my eyes all I can see is the scene happening.”
Crawford fled the scene in his truck after the shooting. Law enforcement tracked the vehicle to his parents’ residence, where his parents called the police so that their son could turn himself in. The Sumiton Police Department later released a statement on Facebook confirming the arrest: “Following the investigation, an arrest has been made and … Crawford has been charged with murder.”
Authorities revealed that Crawford initially attempted to claim self-defense, alleging that Morrow had used his vehicle to try and run Crawford off the road. However, investigators noted that video evidence flatly contradicted that claim. Crawford also allegedly admitted to police that he followed Morrow after the initial dispute over the shopping cart.
During a court appearance last week, Crawford’s defense attorney presented a different version of events, arguing that Morrow had smashed the passenger-side window of Crawford’s truck and tried to get inside the vehicle. Crawford’s parents also took the stand, testifying that their son has dyslexia and is on the autism spectrum, which they said leaves him lacking the mental maturity of other people his age.
Prosecutors pushed back against the defense’s characterization, outlining the allegations and arguing that Crawford poses a distinct danger to the community. Crawford remains in custody and is currently being held in Walker County on a $250,000 bond.
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