BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Top Photo: Jason Popwell is charged with Manslaughter in the death of Steve Welch. He made bond early this morning and the case remains under investigation. (Autauga Metro Jail booking photo.)
Jason Popwell, 35, of Prattville bonded out of Autauga Metro Jail early this morning after an arrest for suspected Manslaughter by Prattville Police. The shooting death occurred at a residence on Mims Lane Thanksgiving night. His bond was set at $250,000.
The reported victim in the case has now officially been identified as Steve Welch, 52. Media were asked not to release the name of the victim until today as the Prattville Police Department wanted to make sure all immediate next of kin were notified.
The name was released yesterday by other media, but our policy is to withhold a victim’s name until authorized by the investigating agency. The name was released yesterday by an outside agency not involved with the criminal investigation.
Police responded to a home on Mims Lane Thanksgiving night in relation to a person shot. Prattville Police Chief Mark Thompson described it as a domestic incident, but has withheld details on the case. What is known is that shots were fired by both Popwell, who resides at the property, and Welch who lived nearby but came on to the property prior to his death.
Popwell’s case will go before an Autauga County Grand Jury at a later date. At that time, it is possible the case will be moved forward, or charges could be dropped.
No further information is currently available, but the EAN asks everyone to respect the family and their privacy in this very difficult time.
