FROM STAFF REPORTS

COLUMBIANA – Authorities have arrested four people in connection with a shooting death on Oct. 20 at a hotel off U.S. 280 in North Shelby County, and deemed the incident a homicide during the commission of a robbery.

Three teenagers from Pleasant Grove and another male juvenile have been charged with murder and first-degree robbery in the death of 17-year-old Stanley M. Turner II, according to information released by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Shelby County 911 received a call about a noise complaint at the Sonesta Extended Stay Suites at 3 Greenhill Parkway at about 1:46 a.m. on Oct. 20.

Deputies responded to the area to investigate and discovered Turner deceased in the parking lot in his vehicle from an apparent gunshot wound.

“Sheriff’s Office Investigators with the assistance of other agencies have spent countless hours working this case with the goal of holding the individuals involved accountable for this unnecessary death,” the SCSO release stated. “Through their diligent investigation the death has been determined to be a homicide during the commission of a robbery.”

Four people have been charged with murder and first-degree robbery in the case:

• Jakobi C. Witherspoon, 18, from Pleasant Grove, who is being held at the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $500,000.
• Aja Kylandrea Brenee Whitt, 17, from Pleasant Grove, who is being held at the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $500,000 (charged as an adult).
• Jamaal Antowain Phillips, 17, from Pleasant Grove, who was arrested and subsequently released from the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $500,000 (charged as an adult).
• Male juvenile who is being held at the Shelby County Youth Detention Center.

In addition to the work of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division and Criminal Investigations Division, Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego thanked the following agencies for their assistance in the case: The Shelby County Coroner’s Office, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, the Pleasant Grove Police Department, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and School Resource Officers, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Jefferson County Metro Area Crime Center, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and the Department of Homeland Security.

“We are always saddened by the loss of life as a result of a violent crime, but even more so when that crime involves a teenager,” Samaniego said. “Our hearts are with the friends and family of Stanley Turner II, and we hope these arrests give some comfort to the family.”

This is still an ongoing homicide investigation, and more charges may be filed, according to the SCSO.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with more information about the circumstances leading to Turner’s death to call the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at (205) 669-4181 or CrimeStoppers at (205) 254-7777. You can also submit a tip at Crimestoppersmetroal.com. Your identity will remain anonymous, and a reward is possible for information leading to additional arrests and convictions in this case.