On Saturday, May 10, 2025, a violent altercation at The Oak Tree club in the Coatopa community of Sumter County, Alabama, resulted in the tragic deaths of two men. Authorities have charged 29-year-old Christopher Hinton of Faunsdale with capital murder in connection to the incident.
The victims, 35-year-old Tristan Clark and 37-year-old Lamarcus Bell, were fatally shot following a confrontation involving all three men around 3:30 a.m. Hinton was detained at the scene and formally charged on Monday. He remains in the Sumter County Jail.
The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the altercation and subsequent shootings. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the events leading up to the incident.
The community is mourning the loss of Clark and Bell, and local officials have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. The case has garnered significant attention, highlighting concerns about violence in the area.
As the legal process unfolds, Hinton will face the charges brought against him in court. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the case.