Man arrested for capital murder after teen shot, killed in Sylacauga

SYLACAUGA, Ala. (WBRC) - Police in Sylacauga are investigating the shooting death of a juvenile in the Drew Court Housing Complex on Tuesday afternoon, March 7.

The Talladega County Coroner’s Office has confirmed the identity of the victim as 16-year-old Dallas Johnson.

Police responded to reports of gunshots. When they arrived, they found Johnson victim lying in the roadway. Police say he was suffering gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sylacauga Police identified the suspect as 18-year-old Julian Nacarie Speer, who was then arrested for capital murder.

Police say Johnson was taken to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science in Montgomery for an autopsy.

We’re told Johnson he was a student in the Coosa County School System.

Speer is being held in the Talladega County without bond.

If you have any information on the case, you’re asked to call the Sylacauga Police Department at 256-249-4716 or 256-267-0090. You can also call Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-7867.

In a press release from the Sylacauga Police Department, police made the following clarification about the incident:

Some misinformation was spread as to this incident being an active shooter near the school property on Main Avenue. This was not the case at all. SPD notified school administrators as to the incident because buses were in the area at the same time the incident occurred. At no time was there a threat to any Sylacauga School System student, spectators, or school personnel. School officials suspended the after school activities for precautionary reasons.

Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.