On July 12, 2023, 20-year-old Matthew Paul Chena was found in a residential area in the southern part of Phenix City, Alabama, suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency responders took him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Another man, 57-year-old Melvin Ware, was also killed in the same incident.

The Phenix City Police Department opened a homicide investigation, processed the scene for evidence, and interviewed potential witnesses. Investigators considered several possible motives early on, including a personal dispute, but did not rule out other possibilities. Police reported difficulty getting some community members to come forward, and no clear suspect had been identified or arrested in the immediate aftermath.

What information might help clarify the circumstances leading up to these shootings, and can anyone who witnessed the area on July 12, 2023, or who knew either victim contact authorities?