Birmingham, Alabama – A Jefferson County judge has denied bond for six suspects charged in a deadly January shooting that killed a Pleasant Grove High School senior and wounded another teen during what prosecutors describe as a planned robbery involving dozens of THC vape pens.
The case, which involves four brothers and two cousins from the same extended family, centers on the Jan. 10 killing of 18-year-old Brandon Campbell and the attempted murder of 17-year-old Sam Slaughter. Prosecutors allege the robbery was orchestrated in advance, while defense attorneys argue the case is built on conflicting statements and lacks solid physical evidence.
Incident Overview
Authorities say Campbell and Slaughter were lured to a meeting in Birmingham that turned into a violent ambush. Investigators recovered 47 shell casings from the scene, fired from at least three different weapons.
Campbell was pronounced dead after suffering multiple gunshot wounds to the head, leg, and shoulder. Slaughter survived despite being shot multiple times.
The suspects include:
- Ricco Wells, 22
- Davione Green, 22
- Kavari Wells, 19
- Algie Surrell, 27
- Two 17-year-olds
A seventh juvenile family member could also face charges, according to testimony.
Charges Filed
Ricco Wells, Davione Green, and one 17-year-old are charged with capital murder in Campbell’s death and attempted murder in the shooting of Slaughter.
Kavari Wells, Algie Surrell, and another 17-year-old are charged with felony murder.
All six suspects appeared before Jefferson County District Judge William Bell, who ruled there was probable cause to send the cases to a grand jury and ordered that all remain jailed without bond.
Timeline of Events
According to testimony from Birmingham homicide Detective Abanellys Perez, police responded around 10:44 p.m. on Jan. 10 to a report of gunfire and a vehicle crash.
Officers found a Hyundai Genesis that had crashed into the yard of a home in the 1600 block of Tuscaloosa Avenue S.W. The vehicle had been struck by bullets at least 10 times, with damage concentrated on the windshield.
A ShotSpotter alert had also been triggered minutes earlier in the 1600 block of Woodland Avenue S.W., less than two minutes away.
Surveillance footage from Woodland Avenue reportedly captured voices, including someone saying “give it up,” followed by gunshots. The video also showed at least six individuals running into an alley and a white SUV fleeing the area.
Prosecutors: Robbery Was Planned
Prosecutors contend that one of the juveniles charged with capital murder arranged the meeting through Instagram. Slaughter’s phone allegedly showed a conversation setting up the meet-up, with the final message sent at 10:43 p.m., just one minute before gunfire erupted.
“The plan was to rob Samuel and Brandon for the weed pens,” Perez testified.
Investigators later recovered five shoe boxes containing approximately nine vape pens each, along with additional vape pens in a backpack inside the victims’ vehicle.
Deputy District Attorney Nick Taggart strongly rejected defense claims that the victims were somehow responsible.
“It’s not whether he’s selling stolen merchandise or not stolen merchandise,” Taggart said. “It’s the fact that somebody tried to rob him, set up a robbery and killed him for approximately $500.”
Taggart argued that each suspect knowingly participated.
“Each and every one of them had a chance to turn around and go home,” he said. “They chose to walk to that house, post up, and line up their firearms because they knew what was going to happen.”
Defense: Case Built on Weak Evidence
Defense attorneys claim the prosecution’s case relies heavily on statements from suspects who may be shifting blame.
Attorney John Robbins, representing the 17-year-old accused of organizing the robbery, questioned whether investigators fully examined the possibility that the victims fired first.
“It’s just as easy to infer under this scenario that these two gentlemen were coming to rob him,” Robbins said.
However, Perez testified that police found no evidence supporting claims that one of the victims fired first.
Attorney Allyson Searls, who represents Ricco Wells, argued there is no direct physical evidence tying her client to the shooting.
“The testimony regarding Ricco Wells is minimum at best,” Searls said.
She also suggested some of the defendants may not have known what was about to happen.
Key Evidence Recovered
Investigators linked the suspects to the scene through surveillance footage and digital records. The Instagram account used to arrange the meeting was reportedly deleted after the shooting, but detectives recovered the messages.
The account had sent Slaughter a photo of a Pleasant Grove High School report card, which investigators traced back to one of the juveniles charged.
Police also located the white SUV seen fleeing the scene. It belonged to Surrell’s girlfriend, authorities said, and Surrell later admitted to driving the vehicle.
Broader Concerns About Youth Violence
The case has sparked concern in the Birmingham community about escalating youth violence and the dangers tied to illegal drug sales, including THC vape products. Authorities say the situation underscores how quickly planned robberies can turn deadly, especially when firearms are involved.
Community leaders have urged parents and guardians to monitor teen activity, both online and offline, and to recognize warning signs of involvement in illegal activities.
Conclusion
Judge William Bell ruled that all six defendants will remain jailed without bond as the case moves toward grand jury review. The charges carry severe penalties if convictions are secured, particularly for those facing capital murder counts.
The courtroom was filled with relatives of the accused during the hearing, reflecting the deep personal impact the case has had on multiple families.
As the legal process continues, the community awaits further developments in a case that has left one teenager dead and another seriously wounded.
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