Alabama authorities arrested an 18-year-old man accused of murdering Stephen Morrow, a 46-year-old father who was shot in the parking lot of a Walmart in the city of Sumiton, located about 40 kilometers from Birmingham.

The shooting occurred shortly before 9:00 p.m. on June 3, according to local authorities. After being shot, Morrow was rushed to the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham, where he later died, AL.com reported.

Last words to his wife

Morrow's death has caused deep shock among family members and community residents.

His wife, Kayla Morrow, shared an emotional message on social media in which she remembered the last moments of her husband's life.

"Every time I close my eyes, all I see is the scene happening. His last words to me were, 'Kayla, I'm dying and I love you,'" he wrote.

The woman said she felt “completely numb” by the tragedy and also recounted the impact that the loss has had on Elijah, the couple's son.

“Seeing my son's face destroyed broke my heart,” she said.

Suspect Arrest

The Sumiton Police Department announced on Sunday the arrest of Timothy Braden Crawford, 18, on suspicion of murder.

The young man is scheduled for a hearing on his procedural situation on June 9 and a preliminary hearing on June 16.

So far, investigators have not revealed whether there was any prior link between Crawford and Morrow or explained what circumstances triggered the attack.

The crime occurred in an area considered quiet by residents, which has increased concern among those who live and work in the area.

Tristan Pedraza, an employee at a restaurant near the scene of the shooting, said violence of this type is rare in Sumiton.

“It was really scary knowing that it happened right next to where we were working,” he told local media.

According to him, his manager's wife heard the shots and witnessed the victim collapse in the parking lot.

"It makes you wonder what goes through a person's mind to do something like that. Knowing that it can happen at any moment is scary," he said.

Memories of a dedicated husband and father

Family and friends remember Morrow as a man dedicated to his family. According to his obituary, he enjoyed fishing, cars, and especially spending time with his son.

He is survived by his wife, Kayla, and son Elijah.

A fundraising campaign created to help the family highlights that Kayla now faces the challenge of raising her son alone while dealing with grief and financial hardship stemming from the sudden loss of her husband.

The authorities are keeping the investigation open to clarify the details of the case and determine the motive for the attack.