SYLACAUGA, Ala. – A 16-year-old has been arrested in connection with the August shooting that killed B.B. Comer High School student D’Marcus Riggins and injured another juvenile in the Drew Court housing community.
The Talladega County Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, working with the Sylacauga Police Department Investigations Division, arrested JaKayden Smith on Friday, Nov. 14 at an apartment complex on Autumn Ln.
Smith is charged with murder in the death of Riggins. His bond was set at $250,000.
Smith also faces a charge of first-degree assault for the shooting of a second victim, identified by family at the time as Israel Duncan. Bond for the assault charge was set at $50,000.
Officers responded around 10:30 p.m. the night of the shooting to the Crestline Ave. area near Drew Court, where they found Riggins and Duncan suffering from gunshot wounds.
Life-saving measures were performed on Riggins before both teens were taken to Coosa Valley Medical Center. Riggins later died from his injuries, while Duncan was transferred to UAB Hospital in Birmingham and has since recovered.
Riggins was remembered by classmates and friends as well-liked and highly regarded.
Sylacauga Police thanked the Task Force for leading the investigation with assistance from SPD investigators.
