Woman charged with murder after shooting at McCalla truck stop

MCCALLA, AL (WBRC) - Tuscaloosa Metro Homicide Unit investigators have charged a woman with murder after a shooting at a truck stop.

The shooting happened early Monday evening at Love's Truck Stop off of Exit 100 on I-20/59 in McCalla. Deputies and Woodstock Police responded to the scene around 6 p.m.

The victim, Jamie R. Johnson, 36, had been shot once and was transported to UAB Medical West in "grave condition," according to Sgt. Dale Phillips with the Tuscaloosa Metro Homicide Unit.

Johnson passed away from his injuries.

Anita T. Hill, 51, of Pickens County, has been charged with murder in the case and was booked on a $75,000 bond. She has since bonded out of jail.

Investigators have determined that Hill's son and Johnson were "involved in a long-term relationship" and had been together for about four years.

"This relationship has caused tension between the suspect who is the mother of the male witness and her son," Phillips said.

Investigators believe Hill's son and Johnson asked Hill to meet them at the truck stop to talk about helping them move and other issues.

After a short conversation, the son returned to his vehicle while Hill and Johnson continued speaking. Investigators say Johnson turned to walk away and that's when Hill allegedly pulled out a hand gun and shot him in the back.

"Witnesses at the scene describe that it appeared that the victim in this case attempted to turn and move away from the suspect. At which time she pulled a hand gun and fired one round," Phillips said.

Hill remained at the truck stop until deputies arrived and took her into custody.

Authorities believe Hill shot Johnson because he was allegedly in a "violent" relationship with her son.

"Witnesses have told us the relationship between these two individuals, the two young men, had been at times possibly physical abusive as well as mentally abusive," Phillips said.

Investigators are checking records to see if there were any charges filed against Johnson, but so far have not found any.

"We do not see this in any nature being a hate crime. We see this as a family having issues in this. All the people involved in this were either related or had been acquainted for several years," Phillips said.

Phillips said Johnson and Hill's son had been in a relationship for about four years. Authorities do not believe Hill came to the truck stop with the intention of killing Johnson.

FOX6 News went to the address of Hill's last known residence, but no one answered the door.

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