Brothers Charged With Mobile County Murder
By Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
June 9, 2025
MOBILE COUNTY Ala. On Sunday, June 8, 2025, at approximately 7:35 pm, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting a shooting at 4071 East Markris Circle in Eight Mile, Alabama.
The report indicated one individual had sustained a gunshot wound to the neck.
Local firefighters and EMS, along with deputies from the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
Upon arrival at the scene, MCSO Deputies located the victim, James Suggs (DOB 8/16/67), in his front yard with a gunshot wound to the neck.
Mr. Suggs was immediately transported to a local hospital but unfortunately succumbed to
his injuries.
Witnesses present at the time of the shooting were interviewed by MCSO investigators. These interviews identified the shooters as brothers, Austin Wheat Payne (DOB 11/12/99) and James Wheat-Payne (DOB 7/26/97).
Following the shooting, Austin and James Wheat-Payne fled the scene in a vehicle and drove to Blount High School, where Austin Wheat-Payne called 911.
The Prichard Police Department responded to Blount High School and detained both individuals until MCSO deputies arrived. The firearm believed to have been used in the shooting was recovered from the front seat of the vehicle occupied by Austin and James Wheat-Payne.
The preliminary investigation has revealed that the Wheat-Payne brothers arrived at Mr. Suggs’ residence armed with weapons. Austin Wheat-Payne stated that Mr. Suggs had been performing construction work at his home and that he believed Mr. Suggs had stolen personal property from him.
Austin and James Wheat-Payne then drove to Mr. Suggs’ residence to confront him, at which point an argument occurred, and Mr. Suggs was shot.
Austin and James Wheat-Payne have been taken into custody at the metro jail and have been charged with the Murder of James Suggs.
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