Trussville Bar Parking Lot Shooting Leaves One Man Dead, Police Say

TRUSSVILLE, Ala. — One man is dead following a shooting early Saturday morning in the parking lot of a Trussville bar, according to local police.

Trussville Police Lt. Clint Riner said officers were dispatched at approximately 1:05 a.m. to the 1900 block of Gadsden Highway after receiving a report of a person who had been shot. Upon arrival, officers located a male victim in a grassy area near the parking lot of Velma’s. Emergency aid was already being provided at the scene.

The victim was pronounced dead at the location. Another male individual was taken into custody, police confirmed. Authorities have not released the identities of either individual.

“At around 0105 hours, the Trussville Police Department received a call of a person shot,” Riner said. “Officers arrived, secured the scene, and emergency medical personnel provided assistance.”

Police said the death has not yet been officially classified. Riner noted that the city previously investigated a fatal fentanyl overdose earlier this year, which later resulted in a manslaughter warrant.

Interim Trussville Police Chief Dave Morrette issued a statement expressing sympathy to the victim’s family and emphasized that incidents of this nature are uncommon in the community.

“A tragic loss of life occurred in our community last night, and we are thankful that events like this are rare,” Morrette said. “Trussville is a safe community, and we remain committed to keeping it that way. Our prayers are with the family affected by this tragedy.”

Morrette also thanked the Irondale Police Department and the Argo Police Department for providing mutual aid during the response.

Velma’s, a well-known roadhouse, originally opened in 1938 and was once the only licensed bar in Trussville. The establishment closed in 2012 before the building later housed other businesses. In December 2022, the Trussville City Council approved a liquor license allowing Velma’s Place to reopen at its original location.

Police stated that no additional details will be released at this time as the investigation remains ongoing. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Source: Shooting in Trussville bar’s parking lot leaves 1 dead — Trussville Tribune / CBS42

Our Perspective at Georgia Victims

Georgia Victims – The fatal shooting outside a Trussville bar highlights the lasting impact that sudden acts of violence can have on families and communities. When a life is lost in a public setting, loved ones are often left facing profound grief, emotional trauma, and unanswered questions about how such an incident could occur.

Community members rely on public venues—such as restaurants, bars, and their surrounding parking areas—to be reasonably safe places to gather. When violence happens in these locations, it can raise broader concerns about public safety, security measures, and whether additional precautions could help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

In cases involving violent crime, families may begin to question the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the environment where it occurred and whether appropriate safety measures were in place. Navigating the aftermath can be overwhelming, and those affected may seek information about available support, their rights as victims, or potential legal options if unsafe conditions played a role.

Were you recently injured in a shooting, violent crime, or harmed due to someone’s negligence? Have questions, need support, or want to speak with someone about your rights as a victim? Contact us today. We offer legal assistance, if desired, and represent clients on a contingency agreement—meaning no fees are owed unless we recover for you.

When a serious incident occurs at a bar, restaurant, parking lot, or other public property, key concerns may include:

• Whether reasonable security measures were in place for patrons and visitors
• Did the property owner or management know about prior safety issues, disturbances, or incidents that could indicate the need for increased security?
• Could stronger precautions or timely interventions—including better lighting, active security patrols, or improved oversight—have helped reduce the risk of violence or deter dangerous behavior?

Under Alabama premises liability law, property owners may have a duty to address foreseeable safety concerns. When those responsibilities are not met, families impacted by violent crime may have grounds to explore their legal rights.

Were you recently injured in a shooting, violent crime, or harmed due to someone’s negligence? Have questions, need support, or want to speak with someone about your rights as a victim? Contact us today. We offer our legal assistance, if desired.  We represent our Clients on a contingency agreement, which generally means that no fees or payments are owed until and unless we recover.  

Image source: https://www.al.com/news/2022/11/velmas-a-trussville-institution-since-1938-coming-back-after-10-years.html