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Holloway
Hughley

Man dead after shooting, teenagers in custody

Staff Report

One man is dead and another is injured after a July 5 altercation in Tallassee.

The incident occured at approximately 8:30 p.m. at the 600th block of North Johnson Street. Julio Mercado, a 34-year-old Hispanic male from Freeport, Fla., succumbed to injuries. The other victim, an unidentified 34-year-old black male, is recovering.

Two suspects are in custody at Tallapoosa County Jail. 19-year-old black males Zan'guintavious Hughley and Ladrequez Holloway of Tallassee are being charged with murder and assault in the first degree.

According to Tallassee Police Chief Matthew Higgins, authorities responded to the scene due to a report of gunfire after a verbal altercation at a family gathering.

"Both victims were transported to Baptist South in Montgomery," Higgins stated. "Detectives and patrol took Hughley into custody that night. Holloway fled the city. (He) was later located through a joint effort of the Tallassee P.D. and U.S. Marshals and taken into custody."