Two men fatally shot at Phenix City ‘trap house’ intended to rob residents, police say

Police have identified two men who were fatally shot outside of an apartment complex in Phenix City on Tuesday.

Mathew Buford, 28, and Terrence Bellamy, 28, were pronounced dead by the Russell County Coroner’s office after patrol units from the Phenix City Police Department responded to calls about an incident around 5 p.m. Dec. 3.

The incident happened on the 1700 block of Knowles Road in Phenix City and, according to police, the location is a known drug distribution place, also known as a “trap house.” Police said that Buford and Bellamy were in the process of robbing the residence when the shooting occurred.

There were two people inside the residence when Buford and Bellamy forced their way inside, according to police. One male was wounded and sent to the hospital on Dec. 3, while the condition of the other male is unknown at this time.

Following a search of the Knowles Road residence, police said they found evidence that Buford and Bellamy planned to rob the apartment of money and drugs.

The names of the two men who were inside the residence aren’t being revealed at this time. The case is still an active investigation and further details will be shared at a later time, police said.

Alabama does have a law in place for individuals that choose to protect themselves. According to Alabama Criminal Code 13A-3-23, a person is justified in using physical force upon another person in order to defend himself or herself or a third person if they deem it necessary to.

A person may be found justified to use physical force in cases where an attacker: indicates use of deadly physical force, attempts to commit a kidnapping, attempts to burglarize a dwelling and more.

This story was originally published December 4, 2019 at 2:45 PM.