Tommy Boyd Jr., 51, Killed in Late-Night Shooting on North 10th Avenue in Lanett, AL: Police Investigate Homicide on 600 Block; Autopsy Scheduled, Suspect Unknown.

LANETT, AL – Tuesday, May 12, 2026 – A quiet Tuesday night in the small Chambers County city of Lanett was shattered by the sound of gunfire, leaving a 51-year-old man dead in the roadway and a community searching for answers. Tommy Boyd Jr., a longtime resident of the area, was fatally shot in the 600 block of North 10th Avenue, prompting an intensive investigation by the Lanett Police Department and sending shockwaves through this tight-knit community on the Alabama-Georgia border.

According to authorities, dispatch received calls reporting gunshots and a person lying in the roadway at approximately 9:21 p.m. on May 12, 2026. Officers and emergency medical services (EMS) were immediately dispatched to the scene. When first responders arrived, they found Boyd suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical personnel provided life-saving aid at the scene, working desperately to stabilize him. Despite their valiant efforts, Boyd succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Chambers County Coroner’s Office.

The sudden and violent death of Tommy Boyd Jr. has left family members, friends, neighbors, and the broader Lanett community reeling. What should have been an ordinary evening turned into a nightmare that has raised questions about public safety, gun violence, and the circumstances that led to a man losing his life on a residential street.

The Victim: Tommy Boyd Jr. – A Life Remembered

Tommy Boyd Jr., 51, was a known and respected figure in Lanett. Though authorities have not yet released extensive personal details pending formal family notification, those who knew him have begun to share memories of a man who was deeply connected to his community.

Friends describe Boyd as someone who was friendly, approachable, and always willing to lend a hand. He had lived in the Lanett area for many years and was familiar to neighbors on North 10th Avenue and throughout the city. “Tommy was the kind of person who would wave to you from his porch,” said neighbor Carla Jenkins, who lives two doors down from where the shooting occurred. “He wasn’t looking for trouble. He was just living his life. It’s hard to believe someone would do this to him.”

Boyd’s family has requested privacy during this devastating time, but in a brief statement released through a family spokesperson, they expressed their grief and their hope for justice. “We lost a son, a brother, a father, and a friend,” the statement read. “Tommy didn’t deserve this. No one does. We ask that anyone who knows anything about what happened to please come forward. We need answers. We need justice for Tommy.”

The Chambers County Coroner’s Office has confirmed that Boyd’s body has been transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery, where a full autopsy will be conducted. The autopsy will determine the exact number of gunshot wounds, the caliber of the weapon used, and other forensic details that may assist investigators in identifying a suspect.

The Scene: North 10th Avenue – A Neighborhood in Shock

The 600 block of North 10th Avenue is a residential area in Lanett, a city of approximately 6,000 residents located in east-central Alabama along the Chattahoochee River. Lanett is part of the larger Valley, Alabama, metropolitan area and sits directly across the state line from West Point, Georgia. It is a community where neighbors know each other, children play outside, and violent crime is relatively rare.

That sense of safety was shattered Tuesday night. Residents reported hearing multiple gunshots around 9:20 p.m., followed by the wail of sirens as police and ambulances rushed to the scene. “I heard maybe four or five pops,” said resident Marcus Terry, who was watching television when the shots rang out. “At first I thought it was fireworks or a car backfiring. Then I looked outside and saw flashing lights everywhere. There were police cars blocking the street, and I could see someone lying on the pavement. It was horrible.”

Police remained on scene for several hours Tuesday night and into the early morning hours of Wednesday. Officers cordoned off the 600 block of North 10th Avenue with crime scene tape, preventing vehicles and pedestrians from entering the area. Investigators used flashlights and forensic equipment to search for evidence, including shell casings, potential surveillance footage from nearby homes, and any other physical evidence that might identify a shooter.

The heavy police presence was noted by residents, many of whom stood on their porches or at their windows watching the investigation unfold. “You don’t usually see that many police cars on this street,” said another neighbor, who asked not to be identified. “It was scary. It makes you feel like nowhere is safe anymore.”

By morning, the crime scene tape had been removed, and the street had reopened to normal traffic. But the visible reminders of tragedy remain—a small memorial of flowers and candles has already begun to grow at the approximate location where Boyd’s body was found.

The Investigation: An Active Homicide Case

The Lanett Police Department has confirmed that the case remains active and ongoing. At this time, investigators have not released any information regarding a suspect or possible motive. It is unclear whether the shooting was targeted or random, whether Boyd knew his attacker, or whether any other individuals were involved.

Detective Reagan, who is leading the investigation, is urging anyone with information to come forward. In a statement released by the department, officials emphasized that even small details—a suspicious vehicle seen in the area, a conversation overheard, or social media activity—could prove crucial to solving the case.

“The Lanett Police Department is committed to bringing justice to Tommy Boyd Jr. and his family,” the statement read. “We are following up on every lead and working tirelessly to identify the individual or individuals responsible for this senseless act of violence.”

Authorities have not disclosed whether any witnesses have come forward or whether surveillance footage from nearby homes or businesses has been recovered. Investigators are likely reviewing footage from doorbell cameras, security systems, and traffic cameras in the area to track vehicles or individuals who may have been present at the time of the shooting.

The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences will play a critical role in the investigation. In addition to conducting the autopsy, forensic analysts will examine any ballistic evidence recovered from the scene, including shell casings and bullet fragments. If a weapon is eventually recovered, ballistics testing can determine whether it was used in other crimes.

Community Response: Grief, Fear, and a Call for Justice

The shooting has deeply affected the Lanett community, which is unaccustomed to violent crime of this nature. While Lanett, like any city, experiences its share of incidents, a homicide on a residential street late on a Tuesday night has left many residents feeling vulnerable.

Mayor Jamie Heard issued a statement Wednesday morning expressing condolences to the Boyd family and assuring the public that law enforcement is doing everything possible to solve the case. “Our hearts are broken for the family of Tommy Boyd Jr.,” the mayor said. “Lanett is a strong community, and we will get through this together. I have full confidence in the Lanett Police Department and their ability to bring the person responsible to justice.”

Local community leaders have also spoken out. Pastor David Franklin of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Lanett called for calm and cooperation. “This is a time for mourning, not for speculation,” Pastor Franklin said. “If you know something, say something. Holding back information doesn’t protect anyone—it only allows violence to continue.”

Some residents have expressed fear about safety in their own neighborhood. “I’ve lived here for 20 years, and I’ve never been scared to sit on my porch at night,” said Betty Lou Simmons, 67. “Now I don’t know. If someone can get shot right out there on the street, what’s stopping them from coming up to my door?”

The Lanett Police Department has increased patrols in the area as a precaution and has encouraged residents to report any suspicious activity immediately.

The Broader Context: Gun Violence in Small-Town Alabama

The death of Tommy Boyd Jr. is a tragic reminder that gun violence is not limited to large cities. Small towns like Lanett—with close-knit communities and lower crime rates than major metropolitan areas—are not immune to the scourge of shootings.

According to data from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Chambers County has seen a modest increase in violent crime over the past five years, though homicide remains relatively rare. In 2025, the county recorded four homicides, down from six the previous year. The death of Tommy Boyd Jr. marks the second homicide in Lanett in 2026, according to unofficial records.

Statewide, Alabama has consistently ranked among the states with the highest per-capita gun violence rates, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2024, Alabama’s firearm mortality rate was 23.6 deaths per 100,000 residents, significantly higher than the national average of 14.2 per 100,000. Advocates for gun safety reform have called for stricter background checks, red flag laws, and increased investment in violence intervention programs, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

However, in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy like the shooting of Tommy Boyd Jr., the focus remains on solving the crime and bringing closure to a grieving family.

How the Public Can Help

The Lanett Police Department is asking anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Even information that seems insignificant could be the missing piece that leads to an arrest.

Contact Detective Reagan directly at the Lanett Police Department: 334-644-5295.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867). Callers to Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest and conviction.

Crime Stoppers does not require callers to provide their names or any identifying information. Tips can also be submitted online through the Crime Stoppers website or mobile app.

Residents in the 600 block of North 10th Avenue and surrounding areas are encouraged to review any home security or doorbell camera footage from the evening of May 12, 2026, between approximately 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Any footage showing vehicles, individuals, or unusual activity should be reported to law enforcement immediately.

A Final Farewell

As the investigation continues, the family of Tommy Boyd Jr. is left to plan a funeral while grappling with the shock of sudden, violent loss. Friends and neighbors are rallying around them, offering meals, prayers, and whatever support they can provide.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established by family friends to assist with funeral expenses. Organizers describe Tommy as “a good man who didn’t deserve to die like this” and have pledged to ensure that any remaining funds will be donated to community violence prevention programs in Lanett.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. The family has requested privacy as they grieve and prepare to say goodbye to their loved one.

In times like these, there are no easy answers. There is only grief, and questions, and the slow, painful work of seeking justice. The people of Lanett, Alabama, will not forget Tommy Boyd Jr. And they will not rest until those responsible for his death are brought to account.

Rest in peace, Tommy Boyd Jr. You mattered. Your life had value. And your memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved you.