Detectives: Second suspect charged in deadly Alex City home invasion robbery

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. (WRBL) – A second man is now facing a capital murder charge in connection to a deadly home invasion which left a well-known Alexander City father dead over the weekend 

According to investigators Joshua Etchison was formally charged with Capital Murder during a Robbery on Tuesday, July 22. He had already been in custody on the alleged burglary of an unoccupied storage shed around 2:00 a.m. on July 19. Investigators allege Etchison and Steven Abercrombie were involved in the early morning burglary. Just hours later, Abercrombie and Etchison allegedly forced their way into a home on Washington Street, demanded money, and shot the victim multiple times. 

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The victim, Toyias Gopher, was a father of three and a well-liked, well-known member of the Alexander City community. He was pronounced dead at the scene around 10:45 a.m.

Abercrombie was arrested and charged with capital murder later that evening, on July 19. Etchison remained in jail on the burglary charge until the upgraded capital murder charge was filed three days later, on July 22. Authorities have not yet explained why Etchison was charged later than Abercrombie.

Court documents previously referenced an “unknown co-defendant” in the home invasion, which now appears to be Etchison.

Etchison remains in the Tallapoosa County Jail without bond. Abercrombie was transferred to Russell County Detention on no bond.

The Tallapoosa County District Attorney’s Office has recused itself from the case, citing a conflict of interest. Abercrombie is related to an employee in the DA’s office. The case is now being handled by the Alabama Attorney General’s Office.

District Judge Kevin Hall has also recused himself. A special district judge has been appointed to oversee the proceedings.

The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional arrests.