Tragically, 26-year-old Cristall Terrell Hereford, whose friends and family call her Kingston, was murdered outside of a Center Point restaurant in Huntsville, AL, early Sunday morning. An investigation into the incident that took Kingston’s life is underway by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Around 1:30 in the morning, deputies were called to a restaurant in the 2200 block of Center Point Parkway regarding a disturbing situation.
Initial accounts indicate that someone in the restaurant’s parking lot threatened to shoot patrons, which led to the authorities being notified. The person making the threats and one of the customers got into an altercation before the deputies could get there. Tragically, things got out of hand, and the client shot and killed Kingston Hereford, who was declared dead at the scene.
Many in the town are still reeling at the news of Kingston’s death, and many have taken to social media to express their sorrow and horror. Someone who said they grew up with Kingston shared their grief over his death in a moving post. In it, the author bemoaned the callousness of others who made fun of Kingston’s hardships, which included the death of his mother.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation and is asking anyone who may have information regarding the incident to contact them. Call 205-254-7777 to speak with CrimeStoppers or dial 205-325-1450, option 2 to reach the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Tragically, Kingston Hereford’s death has left his loved ones grieving, but it also serves as a sobering reminder of the toll that gun violence takes on neighborhoods. Investigators are still trying to piece together what led up to the shooting and the argument.
During this trying time, we ask that you stand with Kingston’s family and friends and think about the bigger picture of the violence that is still taking lives. While it’s true that grieving will be difficult, healing may begin with a community that is united, compassionate, and dedicated to tackling the causes of tragedy.
While Huntsville grieves the loss of Kingston Hereford, may his memory be a rallying cry for more compassion, understanding, and community involvement to forestall such tragedies.
