By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The Pelham Police Department has charged a 20-year-old Pelham man with capital murder after officers said the man allegedly shot and killed three people in a house in the Chandalar subdivision on Sept. 9.

Police arrested 20-year-old Jon Ingram Staggs Jr. at about 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 9 and charged him with capital murder first-degree burglary shortly after officers responded to an afternoon call reporting a homicide at a residence in the 2400 block of Chandabrook Drive.

When officers responded to the residence, they discovered three victims deceased at the house.

Police identified the victims as Joshua Smith, 22, of Pelham, Simeon Gilmore, 19, of Birmingham, and Casey Cumberland, 22, of Helena. The incident happened at Smith’s residence, and Smith’s parents were not at the residence at the time of the shooting, said Pelham Police Department Lt. Pete Folmar.

Folmar said a Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputy apprehended Staggs, who lived “just a few blocks” away from Smith, at Staggs’ residence shortly after officers discovered the three deceased victims.

Staggs was “an acquaintance ” with the three victims, Folmar said.

“This was not a random act,” Folmar said during a Sept. 10 press conference. “Pelham police believe that Staggs acted alone, and no other individuals are considered suspects in this case.”

Folmar said he anticipated no additional arrests in the case. In addition to the Pelham Police Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and the Helena and Hoover police departments helped to investigate the incident.

After the victims’ names were released, a pair of local bars announced plans to raise money to help offset funeral costs. Rio’s Bar and Grill in Helena will feature one of Cumberland’s favorite bands, Whiskey Dix, on Sept. 12 beginning at 8 p.m.

The band will donate all tips raised during their performance to Cumberland’s family, and will collect donations at the restaurant, according to the event’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/events/441782409197983.

Tyler Navarre’s Bar and Grill in Pelham will also host a fundraiser for the victims on Sept. 18 from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. After a performance form Bos Huck, the bar will open the stage to the victims’ friends and family members. Tyler Navarre’s will also be accepting donations for the victims’ families all week.