Sisters, 20 and 16, Identified as Victims of Deadly Tuscaloosa Shooting

Investigators in Tuscaloosa have identified the victims killed in an overnight shooting as young sisters, 16 and 20.

Following up on the morning announcement of a shooting that left two people dead and one person injured, the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit has released more information and arrested a suspect.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, the commander of the VCU, said that officers were dispatched to 3820 1st Avenue, a residential area in Tuscaloosa known as Woodlawn Manor, at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Monday.

They found two young women fatally shot and a 17-year-old male injured by a gunshot. The male victim is in stable condition and expected to survive.

The VCU said the only victim they can identify by name is Kaliyah Houston, age 20, who was killed in the shooting. Her 16-year-old sister was also fatally shot.

"The suspect was identified as 19-year-old Keshawn Jermichael Woods. Witnesses reported that Houston had allowed Woods to live in her apartment for the last few months," Kennedy said. "An argument occurred last night during which Woods produced a handgun and began shooting. Woods shot and killed both Houston and her sister and shot another 17-year-old juvenile, who was able to flee the apartment and seek help. There were also several very young children, including an infant present, but they were not struck."

The 19-year-old Woods allegedly fled on foot and was located hours later by the US Marshal's Task Force after the VCU identified him as a suspect.

Woods was charged with two counts of capital murder and one count of attempted murder and was jailed without bond.

By the count of the Tuscaloosa Thread staff, the homicides are roughly the 18th and 19th investigated by the VCU this year.

For more exclusive coverage of crime and courts in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.