Sheriff: ‘Bad blood’ led to murder

Published 8:13 pm Monday, January 21, 2008

A witness told authorities “bad blood” led to the fatal shooting of a 41-year-old Athens man late Sunday night off Hatchett Road in eastern Limestone County.

“We’re still investigating as to the exact cause of why this happened,” Sheriff Mike Blakely said Monday. “We have a suspect and a warrant that charges him with murder.”

Vince Cheaton, of Stewart Road, was shot once in the head with what authorities believe was a 9-millimeter handgun, Blakely said. The suspect, Andre Alexander, 20, of Old Railroad Bed Road, was still at large late Monday, the sheriff said.

Investigators were told Cheaton was at the home of Raffel Cox off Hatchett Road when Alexander arrived.

Cox told authorities “there was bad blood between the two and the suspect started making accusations against the victim and they started to fuss,” the sheriff said. “At that point, the suspect pulled a pistol and the two struggled over the weapon. ”

Alexander fled the scene in a blue Suburban. The vehicle was found early Monday afternoon at the suspect’s stepmother’s home near Old Railroad Bed Road and County Line Road.

“From all indications, it was just the three of them at the Cox residence at the time of the shooting,” the sheriff said. “They all knew one another, but just what exactly they were fussing about we don’t know at this point. Once we get the suspect in custody, we will know more about it.”