Lee County man dies after being pistol-whipped by family member

Lina Portman4 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

SMITHS STATION, Ala. (WRBL) – An assault case turned into a murder investigation after a fight between a nephew and his step-uncle turned deadly.

Investigators say in the early hours of Friday, June 7, the Lee County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call reporting shots fired and an unconscious man in the 15000 block of U.S. Highway 280 East. Upon arrival, officers found William Armstrong, 40, unconscious and receiving medical treatment from emergency services.

Witnesses reported that Armstrong was involved in an argument with his uncle by marriage, Jamey Dillard, 46, of Smiths Station. The altercation escalated when Dillard allegedly hit Armstrong with a gun until he lost consciousness. Armstrong later died in hospital. Armstrong's body will be transported to ADFS in Montgomery for an autopsy.

Dillard was apprehended and taken to the Lee County Sheriff's Office. He was initially charged with first-degree assault. The charges have now been upgraded to felony murder. Dillard is being held at the Lee County Detention Center.

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the case to contact the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).

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