On January 6, 2022, 29-year-old Derika Shanice McGhee and her 8-year-old son, Aiden Carter Williams, were found dead inside their Tuscaloosa home after deputies responded about 3 a.m. to reports of a shooting. Witnesses who fled the residence told deputies a man had possibly shot his girlfriend during an argument. The sheriff’s office tactical unit forced entry and discovered the bodies of McGhee, Aiden, and 34-year-old Darrin Lamar Patton Jr.

Investigators determined Patton, who was McGhee’s boyfriend but not Aiden’s father, shot McGhee and her son before fatally shooting himself. The deaths were ruled a double murder-suicide. Family members said McGhee had a history of domestic abuse by Patton. The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit continued a full homicide investigation and planned to submit findings to a grand jury for review.

If anyone knew Derika, Aiden, their routines, or has information about the events that night, please share what is known.