VCU Asks for Information About Tuscaloosa County’s Only Unsolved Murder in 2024

The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit is asking for public help solving their only unsolved homicide case so far in 2024.

Although there have been a troublingly high number of killings in the area this year, the multi-agency VCU combines investigators from several local law enforcement agencies and shatters traditional jurisdictional barriers when a homicide is committed.

As a result of their all-hands approach to responding to each case, their close rate is almost unheard of - with 23 homicides in the county so far this year, only one committed in June is unsolved - all of the rest have been closed by arrest or a self-defense investigation.

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Investigators want justice for that victim, too, and VCU commander Jack Kennedy urged the public to cooperate with this open case if they know any of its details.

"On 6/20/2024 at approximately 9:49PM, Tuscaloosa Police responded to 817 33rd Ave on a shooting," Kennedy said in a Tuesday release. "Christopher Labryant Shobe, age 34, was found deceased outside the residence having been shot. The Violent Crimes Unit has been investigating this case since that time."

Kennedy said the VCU has heard reports that the victim, Shobe, had issues with several people through the evening before he was fatally shot.

"It is very possible that this incident was witnessed by multiple people. Anyone who witnessed any aspect of this shooting, or has any information regarding it is encouraged to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (205) 464-8690," Kennedy said. "There is reward money available though Crimestoppers. Anyone wishing to use Crimestoppers should call (205) 752-7867. All information is considered confidential."

Anyone who may know more about the deadly shooting is urged contact the VCU, even if anonymously, and bring closure to this case and justice for its victim.