Man, woman dead in apparent assault and self-inflicted gunshot in Barbour County

A man and a woman are dead after an apparent assault and self-inflicted gunshot Monday in the 700 block of Barbour County Road 17, the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation said in a release.

The victim was identified as Ralph Williams Jr., who died after he was transported by air to a hospital in Montgomery. Williams of Ozark, Ala., was suffering from injuries caused by gunfire and an edged weapon. Shaleka Russaw, 27, of Louisville , Ala., was found outside the residence and pronounced dead at the scene of what’s believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the torso. She was identified as the suspect in the assault.

The investigation was requested by Barbour County Sheriff Leroy Upshaw. The sheriff’s office received a call on an assault at 1:30 p.m. and deputies arrived about 10 minutes later.

A motive in the assault is unclear as the investigation continues. After the investigation is completed, the SBI will turn it over to the Barbour County District Attorney.

This story was originally published July 24, 2018 at 1:42 PM.