An apparent family dispute in the Fayetteville community Sunday night left one person dead and has prompted an investigation by the Talladega County Sheriff’s Department.Martin Benjamin Embry, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene at 5529 Old Fayetteville Road. He was killed by a single shotgun blast to the chest.
Although the investigation remained ongoing Monday afternoon, Chief Deputy Jimmy Kilgore said statements from the numerous eyewitnesses to the incident indicated that Embry had come to his grandfather’s residence, where the shooting occurred, looking for his wife and 2-year-old daughter.
"He made several threats over the course of the evening," Kilgore said, "finally telling everyone there that he was going home, and if his wife and daughter weren’t home with him by 9 p.m., he was going to come back and kill everybody there."
In addition to the wife and child, Talladega County District Attorney Steve Giddens said he believed all of Embry’s grandparents and at least two of his siblings were also in the house at the time.
Embry returned to the house, as promised, at 9 p.m., carrying a rifle, Kilgore said.
"Based on what we’ve found out so far, the grandfather told him several times to put the gun down," according to Kilgore. "Embry then pointed the gun at his grandfather, and the grandfather fired a shotgun and wounded him fatally."
Kilgore added that Embry was dead when deputies arrived. Paramedics also responded to the call, but Embry was never transported.
Embry’s residence was at 5533 Old Fayetteville Road, behind his grandfather’s residence, Kilgore said. "I believe he was on probation out of either Coosa or Clay County, I believe on narcotics charges," he added. "Also, there was a prior incident in May 2001 where the grandfather swore out a warrant for domestic violence against Embry. As I understand it, the charges were ultimately dropped, however."
Further information on either of the past incidents was unavailable Monday afternoon.
Giddens said Monday that although the investigation remained ongoing, "I don’t expect any warrants to be issued in this case, based on the evidence in front of me right now. But investigators with the sheriff’s office are continuing to gather evidence and do interviews."
Once the investigation is concluded, the case will be turned over to a grand jury, Giddens said.
Since the grandfather has not been charged with any crime, The Daily Home will not identify him by name at this time.
