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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – A investigation is now underway after the death of an inmate at the Shelby County Jail on Friday March 7.

On Friday, Feb. 21, Phillip Randall Ledford, age 55 of Pelham, was arrested by the Pelham Police Department for a felony charge of robbery in the first degree.

Ledford had allegedly robbed the Deer Springs Grocery Gas Station at gunpoint on Feb. 21. According to court records, Ledford had produced a black semi-automatic pistol and threatened the female clerk to relinquish money from the till.

Ledford was booked into the Shelby County Jail on Feb. 21 on a $100,000 bond for robbery in the first degree and no bond for a probation violation. He was assessed by on-site medical staff and housed in the medical unit where remained for the duration of his stay.

According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, on March 7 at approximately 7:16 a.m., Ledford was in medical distress and deputies and medical staff immediately began life-saving measures and Southeast Shelby Rescue responded to assist. Ledford was pronounced dead by authorities at 7:53 a.m.

Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego has requested the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office conduct an outside investigation into the incident and an autopsy has been requested.

Further information on the incident will be released as it becomes available.