By Brian Livingston
Sumter County, Alabama authorities said Monday afternoon two suspects in the fatal shooting of a Lauderdale County man Friday night are currently being held in jail for questioning.
Tony Hernandez Jr., 33, died Saturday at a Meridian hospital from a gunshot wound to the lower torso, according to Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler. He was transported to Lauderdale County from the Cuba, Alabama area by personal vehicle late Friday night by four individuals.
“When the ambulance met the car, the patient was loaded into the ambulance to begin treatment,” said Cobler. “When the paramedics turned around to ask the people who brought Hernandez what happened, they were gone. We gave the description of the vehicle to authorities.”
Sumter County Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Thomas Lewis, who is the lead investigator in the case, said two men have been taken into custody and are being held in Sumter County jail, but no charges have been filed.
“We are trying to sort through all the information,” Lewis said late Monday afternoon. “Hopefully we can have this case resolved on our end in a day or two.”
Lewis said the shooting occurred at 10:30 p.m. at a convenience store located off Sumter County Road 10 and Wilson Road near Cuba.
