Warrant obtained against Jet Pep murder suspect

Charges have been filed against the only suspect in the murder of a 34-year-old Birmingham man.

Detectives have obtained a capital murder warrant against Derrick Wayne Murray of Dora in the shooting death of Edmund "Preacher" Reed. Jefferson County Sheriff Chief Deputy Randy Christian says the shooting was an assassination. Reed was shot and killed inside his car at the Jet Pep on Highway 78 in Forestdale just before 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12.

Detectives have been working around the clock to find Murray, who was quickly identified as the primary and only suspect in the case.

Deborah Abrams, Murray's estranged wife, says news of the incident at the Jet Pep in Forestdale spread quickly last Sunday.

"It was very scary. Me and my kids didn't know what was going on. My cousin called me to tell me Derrick had murdered someone," Abrams said.

Reed was a father of one child and has a second child on the way. Last night a vigil was held at the convenience store. Reed's cousins urged Murray to turn himself in to authorities.

"They need more help. They need the community to come forward. They see this man. They need him to turn himself in like I said. Until he does that we won't have closure," Tarra Reed said.

Abrams says her husband has not lived with her and his two children for years in Dora. Abrams says Murray has been living in Center Point. Murray's 13- and 14-year-old children have not returned to school this week. Abrams says it has been difficult on the family since their only vehicle has been seized by investigators.

Despite the emotional hardship, Abrams continues to think of Reed's family.

"The girl is pregnant. It's very sad. Real sad. She is having a family. The dad is never going to meet his child. It's sad. You do something like this and you run from it. Just get it over and turn yourself in," Abrams said.

Murray is a 41-year-old black male, 6'2" and 360 pounds. Anyone with information about the case or Murray's whereabouts is asked to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office at 205-325-1450.

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