Tuscaloosa Man Shot 10 Times Dies Days Later, Charges Upgraded

A suspect accused of shooting a Tuscaloosa man 10 times last week has been charged with murder after the victim succumbed to his injuries and died.

Captain Jack Kennedy, the commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, said officers were called to the Creekwood Village Apartments on 40th Avenue last Tuesday on reports of a shooting.

Get our free mobile app

Police found the victim, 38-year-old Earl Lee Ward, near a dumpster on the property -- court documents said Ward had been shot approximately 10 times in his torso.

Ward survived his injuries for days, but Kennedy said he died this weekend at an area hospital.

The suspect in this case, Marquis Rayone "Ray-Ray" Brown, was arrested after the shooting and charged with attempted murder. Brown has been jailed without bond because of a probation violation related to a previous offense. His mugshot is pictured above.

Kennedy said a new warrant has been obtained and served, officially upgrading the charge against Brown to murder.

By the count of the Thread staff, Ward's death marks the 14th homicide investigated in Tuscaloosa County so far in 2022.