A man with a long criminal history was fatally shot by his nephew in a possible act of self-defense during a violent domestic incident in Mobile County, Alabama. The deceased had allegedly assaulted an ex-girlfriend and threatened others before grabbing knives and charging at his nephew, prompting the shooting.
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MOBILE, AL (3-minute read) — A deadly shooting in Mobile County is under investigation after a 47-year-old man with a violent history was fatally shot by his nephew in what authorities believe may have been a justified act of self-defense.
On Sunday, Keenta Todd arrived uninvited at the home of an ex-girlfriend on McAboy Street, bringing flowers. According to Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch, when the woman rejected his gesture, Todd became aggressive and threw a full sports drink bottle at her face. Tensions quickly escalated as Todd reportedly began making violent threats.
Sheriff Burch stated that Todd’s 23-year-old nephew, who also lived in the home, tried to calm him down. However, Todd’s behavior became more erratic. He began shouting, demanded to know where a firearm was located, and then armed himself with multiple kitchen knives while continuing to threaten those inside.
According to authorities, Todd charged at his nephew with the knives. In response, the nephew fired two shots, hitting Todd in the chest. He was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Sheriff Burch made it clear that the deceased was not an innocent party. Todd had a criminal history dating back to 1997, with 22 bookings into the Mobile Metro Jail for charges ranging from domestic violence to assault, burglary, and even murder. While Todd had faced a murder charge in 2023, he was acquitted after a key investigator in the case was found guilty of perjury.
“Had that not taken place, he would probably be in prison instead of down at the morgue,” Burch remarked bluntly.
After the shooting, the nephew remained at the scene, called 911, and fully cooperated with law enforcement. No charges have been filed against him so far. However, the case will still be presented to a grand jury for review, which is standard procedure in potentially self-defense-related shootings.
Understanding Self-Defense Laws in Alabama
Alabama is a stand your ground state, which means individuals are not required to retreat before using deadly force if they are legally present and believe it is necessary to prevent death or serious injury. However, each case is evaluated on its specific facts, which is why this incident will go before a grand jury.
Safety Tip: If you own a firearm for self-defense, ensure you’re familiar with your state’s laws on the use of force. Always try to de-escalate a situation when possible, and understand when lethal force is legally justified.
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