A murder case in Alabama stemming from an accidentally bumped shopping cart at a Walmart has revealed disturbing details about the final moments of Stephen Justus Morrow, a 46-year-old customer who was shot dead in front of his wife on June 3, 2026, in Sumiton.
At a court hearing on June 9, 2026, Judge Henry Allred set bond for Timothy Braden Crawford, 18, at $250,000 cash-only with strict conditions including house arrest, a ban on social media use, and no contact with friends who accompanied him the night of the fatal shooting. Crawford has been charged with murder in connection with Morrow’s death.
Morrow’s widow, Kayla, shared on social media that her husband’s last words to her were, “Kayla, I’m dying and I love you.” In a Facebook post, she wrote that she had been awake for almost 40 hours and that every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was the scene of the shooting happening again. She described herself as completely numb, adding that she did not know how to feel or what to think.
The Deadly Confrontation
The fatal encounter began inside the Walmart when Morrow accidentally bumped a friend of Crawford with a shopping cart, triggering a verbal altercation. The Morrows tried to leave through a different exit to avoid further confrontation, but Crawford followed them out of the store.
Morrow called 911 from outside the store after the initial argument, with a store worker staying alongside the Morrows until police could respond. He placed a second call to police, telling officers Crawford might follow him home and expressing concern for his personal safety.
The confrontation moved to a nearby restaurant parking lot, where the shooting occurred. According to court documents filed in the case, Crawford pursued Morrow after he left the store. According to the defense, Morrow confronted Crawford, shattered Crawford’s passenger-side truck window and put his hand through the opening before Crawford discharged his weapon.
Sumiton police responded to the shooting around 8:59 p.m. on the evening of June 3 at the retail center located at 560 Highway 78. Paramedics transported Morrow to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries. His body was later sent to the Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville.
Evidence and Conflicting Claims
At the crime scene, investigators recovered a shell casing, two projectiles, a bloody handprint, and a bloody towel as physical evidence. When police located Crawford’s vehicle in Dora, a 9mm handgun was found inside.
During questioning, Crawford stated that Morrow had attempted to force him off the highway before the fatal incident. However, video evidence contradicted his account. Crawford subsequently acknowledged pursuing the Morrows as they departed the retail location, according to testimony presented in court.
Assistant Police Chief Chris Lollar testified at the June 9 hearing that he reviewed surveillance footage from multiple sources and spoke with witnesses. Authorities confirmed they were gathering physical and video evidence and interviewing witnesses in the days following the incident.
Defense Testimony and Bond Conditions
At the hearing before Judge Allred, Crawford’s father, Timothy Scott Crawford, testified on his son’s behalf. The elder Crawford stated that his son suffers from dyslexia and falls on the autism spectrum. He described his son as lacking the mental maturity of others his age.
Despite the murder charge, Judge Allred concluded that Timothy Crawford’s case did not satisfy the requirements for denying bail under Aniah’s Law, Alabama’s statute that allows judges to deny bail for defendants charged with certain violent felonies. If Crawford posts the $250,000 cash bond, he will be subject to house arrest, prohibited from using social media, and barred from having any contact with friends who were with him on the night of the shooting.
A preliminary hearing was held June 16.
Sumiton police initially declined to comment on the case immediately after the shooting, later explaining they held off on releasing details to protect their investigation. Police have stated there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The case has drawn attention to the tragic consequences of seemingly minor confrontations escalating into deadly violence. What began as an accidental bump with a shopping cart in a busy retail store ended with a husband and father dead in a parking lot, leaving behind a traumatized widow and family and a community searching for answers. Crawford now faces murder charges in connection with Morrow’s death, with the case proceeding through the Walker County court system.