17-year-old charged with first-degree murder in Walker County

WALKER COUNTY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — The Walker County Sheriff’s Office announced a teenager’s arrest in connection to a murder case during a Thursday press conference.

At around 4:55 a.m. Monday, Sheriff Nick Smith stated that a passerby had spotted a man lying in a median on Highway 78 near Scott’s Texaco in the Argo community.

Deputies were called to the scene and the victim was transported to UAB Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The victim was identified as Jonathan O’Neill Foster, 40.

WCSO initially investigated the case as a possible hit-and-run. However, Smith said that foul play was suspected while working alongside Alabama State Troopers. An autopsy confirmed that Foster suffered “injuries not consistent with a pedestrian struck incident.”

Case evidence was presented to the Walker County District Attorney’s Office, and a warrant was issued for a 17-year-old from Argo. He is being held in the Walker County Jail on a first-degree murder charge.

During the press conference, Sheriff Smith stated that the motive and other details will not be released at this time. The investigation is ongoing and the public is encouraged to send tips to WCSO.

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