Topline: An 18-year-old is accused of fatally shooting his grandfather after a domestic dispute at a Madison County home.
Published: August 31, 2026 10:04 pm ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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MERIDIANVILLE, AL — An 18-year-old is accused of fatally shooting his 62-year-old grandfather after a domestic dispute at a Madison County home on John Harold Drive.
Deputies responding to the 200 block of John Harold Drive found Marcus Lanier suffering from gunshot wounds late Thursday afternoon. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators took his grandson, Zakarius D. Lanier, into custody at the residence without further incident.
According to reporting from AL.com and WAFF, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting stemmed from a domestic-related dispute between the two men. After a Major Crimes Unit investigation, authorities charged Zakarius D. Lanier with murder.
Crime scene investigators processed the home while detectives continued examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Authorities said no additional information was being released as of Friday.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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18-Year-Old Charged in Grandfather’s Slaying in Madison County
An 18-year-old is accused of fatally shooting his grandfather after a domestic dispute at a Madison County home.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: August 31, 2026 10:04 pm ET
MERIDIANVILLE, AL — An 18-year-old is accused of fatally shooting his 62-year-old grandfather after a domestic dispute at a Madison County home on John Harold Drive.
Deputies responding to the 200 block of John Harold Drive found Marcus Lanier suffering from gunshot wounds late Thursday afternoon. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators took his grandson, Zakarius D. Lanier, into custody at the residence without further incident.
According to reporting from AL.com and WAFF, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting stemmed from a domestic-related dispute between the two men. After a Major Crimes Unit investigation, authorities charged Zakarius D. Lanier with murder.
Crime scene investigators processed the home while detectives continued examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Authorities said no additional information was being released as of Friday.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
18-Year-Old Charged in Grandfather’s Slaying in Madison County
An 18-year-old is accused of fatally shooting his grandfather after a domestic dispute at a Madison County home.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: August 31, 2026 10:04 pm ET
MERIDIANVILLE, AL — An 18-year-old is accused of fatally shooting his 62-year-old grandfather after a domestic dispute at a Madison County home on John Harold Drive.
Deputies responding to the 200 block of John Harold Drive found Marcus Lanier suffering from gunshot wounds late Thursday afternoon. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators took his grandson, Zakarius D. Lanier, into custody at the residence without further incident.
According to reporting from AL.com and WAFF, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting stemmed from a domestic-related dispute between the two men. After a Major Crimes Unit investigation, authorities charged Zakarius D. Lanier with murder.
Crime scene investigators processed the home while detectives continued examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Authorities said no additional information was being released as of Friday.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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