From The Trussville Tribunes staff reports
CENTER POINT — Authorities from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office have confirmed that a shooting that took place on Hillview Lane in Center Point was the result of a drug transaction. Police now say that there were three people who were shot and of the three one died on the scene, identified by the coroner’s office as Gavin Jamal Averhart, 30, of Bessemer.
Related story: 1 dead, 2 wounded after shooting on Hillview Lane in Center Point
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s office said the third person was interviewed by detectives, who were told that he was picked up by the two to buy heroin. Once at Hillview Lane, the front passenger allegedly drew a gun and shot him. He told detectives that he took his own gun and shot at the two in the front.
Afterwards, he was picked up by a friend and taken to a hospital to be treated with serious but non life-threatening injuries.
The hospital was St. Vincent’s East but he has since been transferred to another. The occupant of the passenger seat was taken to an area hospital where he was suffering from life-threatening injuries. Both remain hospitalized and under guard.
The case continues to be investigated. Any one with additional information about the incident is asked to call the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.