Clay County District Judge David F. Law issued a gag order in connection with a deadly shooting that happened Sunday near Cheaha State Park.
The order prohibits trial teams from speaking about the case and ordered Clay County Sheriff Jim Studdard to remove social media posts concerning the incident.
The Clay County Sheriff's Office previously confirmed one person was killed during an attempted armed robbery on a National Forest Service Road. A witness said the victim was acting as a good Samaritan, attempting to help two women with a car that was stalled on the side of the road.
According to court records, Krystal Diane Pinkins, 36, of Memphis, Tenn., is charged with murder in the death of Adam Cassim Simjee, 22, of Florida. She is also charged with two counts of kidnapping and two counts of robbery.
Another suspect, Yasmine Hider, was reportedly shot by Simjee and flown to Birmingham for treatment. Hider is charged with one count of murder, two counts of kidnapping and two counts of robbery.
In a press release issued before the gag order, Studdard said Pinkins originally fled the scene, leaving Hider, Simjee and Simjee's girlfriend, at the scene of the shooting.
The search for Pinkins led investigators to an off-grid camp with tents. Officers found Pinkins in the camp with her child, who they said had a shotgun.
"As law enforcement were approaching the base camp, they observed a black female standing near the tents," the sheriff's office said in the press release. "As officers were ordering the female to the ground, a 5-year-old child ran from the woods holding a loaded shotgun. Law enforcement told the child to put the shotgun down; however, the child continued to the female's location before laying the gun on the ground."
In the gag order issued Wednesday, the judge said the state made the motion for the order because of a "substantial probability of material prejudice to the Defendant's ability to receive a fair trial..."
Linwood Butler, USDA Forest Service District Ranger, Talladega National Forest, Talladega and Shoal Creek Districts issued a statement concerning the murder.
“We are saddened by this tragic event and extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Simjee’s loved ones," Butler said. "The incident is under investigation, and we cannot provide additional information."
The sheriff's office is asking anyone with information to call them at 256-354-2176.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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