Montevallo man murdered in park
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, October 19, 2004
A 23-year-old man from Montevallo died from gunshot wounds he received during a fight Sunday at a county park just outside of Montevallo.
Kentonio Terrel Kirkland was pronounced dead at University Hospital in Birmingham. He was transported from Almont Park near Montevallo where the fight occurred.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area near Gilmore Nicks Circle and Vassar Circle in the Almont community of Shelby County. Deputies received a call of a large group of people involved in a fight.
Upon arrival at 2:45 p.m., deputies discovered Kirkland had been shot. Reports from the sheriff’s office stated that numerous shots had been fired before deputies arrived. Deputies recovered six guns from the scene.
Almont Park is a small county park with basketball goals and playground equipment.
Montevallo Fire and Rescue and RPS ambulance service responded to the scene. RPS ambulance transported Kirkland to the Shelby County Airport. Calera Fire and Rescue helped transfer Kirkland to Lifesaver Helicopter, which flew him to University Hospital.
Numerous law enforcement agencies responded to the scene of the fight at Almont Park. Alabama State Troopers, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bib county and Chilton County Sheriff’s offices responded. Also, the Montevallo, Calera, Alabaster, Pelham University of Montevallo and Thorsby Police departments responded.
Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry said no suspects had been arrested on Monday. An investigation is ongoing.
Curry said there were many of witnesses and investigators remained on the scene into the night Sunday interviewing neighbors
Curry released a statement Monday.
&uot;This is a tragic and devastating loss to the Kirkland family. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family during this time of grieving,&uot; Curry said