Authorities in Alabama have arrested and charged a 31-year-old man in connection with the shooting deaths of his girlfriend and her 8-year-old son. According to WLBT, authorities in Scott County said the bodies of 46-year-old Zina Williams and her son Zacchesus were found by firefighters at their home in Wash Drive on October 9.
Authorities also said fire was used in an attempt to cover up the crimes. The suspect was identified as Salento James Fulgham. “It looks like she was shot once. The child was shot at least three times, maybe more,” Scott County Sheriff Mike Lee said.
Lee also said Fulgham and Williams lived together and were colleagues at work, adding that the suspect fatally shot the victims following an argument. “They did hear a small altercation and also heard what they believe were gunshots,” Lee said. “He was seen leaving the residence by himself by neighbors.”
Fulgham was later arrested without incident. “It is a horrific event,” Lee said, per PEOPLE. “We don’t have things like this happen in this community. To also have a child killed has taken a lot out of the men and women who work here.”
“Hopefully we do have some answers for the victims’ family,” the sheriff added.
