Suspicious Highway 63 death being investigated

The Elmore County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Friday night death on Highway 63 near the Kowaliga Bridge.

Elmore County deputies were called to a wreck between the bridge and the Elmore/Tallapoosa County boundary.

“When deputies arrived, they noticed a subject in a vehicle that apparently had suffered a gunshot wound,” Elmore County sheriff Bill Franklin said.

Franklin said the deceased victim was identified by documents and family as Shacori Whetstone, 31, of Alexander City. The sheriff said the driver of a car involved in the two-car collision gave a statement to law enforcement on the scene describing the incident.

“The vehicle driven by Whetstone veered into oncoming northbound traffic for no apparent reason,” Franklin said. “We have every reason to believe Mr. Whetstone lost consciousness and succumbed to his injuries from a gunshot as he veered into traffic.”

Franklin said Whetstone’s death isn’t likely related to the wreck but rather the gunshot wound.

“We believe an autopsy will show he suffered at least one gunshot wound,” Franklin said. “We did find some rounds that entered through the rear of (Whetstone’s) vehicle and had traveled through the driver side backrest and entered Mr. Whetstone’s left upper back.” 

Franklin said deputies with the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department, officers with the Alexander City Police Department and ALEA State Troopers responded and aided in the initial investigation.

“There was some evidence along the roadway,” Franklin said. “It was all in Elmore County. We did find some shell casings a few hundred yards before the collision. We have every reason to believe this incident happened inside Elmore County.” 

Franklin said the incident is under investigation as a possible foul play situation.  

“We have talked to a number of people,” Franklin said. “There are a number of people we are interested in talking to. We are trying to find out why this took place.”

Whetstone’s body was taken to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.

Franklin said the incident is currently under investigation and anyone who has information about it is asked to call the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office at 334-567-5227.