From Staff Reports
Matthew Brent Wilson of McCalla is behind bars following a fatal shooting near Interstate 20/59 on Monday afternoon. Wilson, 44, has been chared with capital murder and is being held without bond in Tuscaloosa County Jail.
According to Tuscaloosa County Lt. Kip Hart, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office responded to Hwy 216 and I 20/59 on a shooting call around 5:15 Monday afternoon. When they arrived, they discovered a 39-year-old Robert Arwood III with gunshot wounds in the roadway. Arwood was transported to UAB hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Also, at the scene deputies took Wilson into custody. During the investigation it was determined both were driving separate vehicles and passed each other in the intersection. Investigators believe at least one of the parties thought he recognized the other from a previous incident and they began to exchange words while stoppped in the intersection.
According to Hart, at one point, Arwood exited his vehicle and approached Wilson’s vehicle. That is when Wilson fired his weapon several times striking Arwood. The issue of self defense was raised but based on physical evidence and witness statements that contradict the suspect’s version of events, probable cause was found to charge Wilson with Capital Murder.
The Capital Murder charge is based on Wilson shooting Arwood while he (Wilson) was sitting in vehicle.