HUNTSVILLE, AL — A fight early Sunday morning ended with one man dead and another injured when gunfire erupted on Posey Avenue. According to the Huntsville Police Department officers responding about 2 a.m found 20 year old Corian JonShad Zeigler suffering from a gunshot wound. Zeigler was taken to a hospital where he later died.

Investigators determined that Zeigler and 40 year old John Wesley Linder Jr were involved in a physical altercation. Evidence indicates both men were armed and that Zeigler threatened Linder with his firearm. In response Linder fired his weapon. One of the rounds struck Zeigler. Another round hit a vehicle in the parking lot injuring a man who was inside. That man was transported to a local hospital with injuries not considered to be life threatening.

After reviewing the investigation the Madison County District Attorney’s Office ruled Linder’s use of deadly force was justified under Alabama law. However the DA also filed charges of first degree assault and shooting into an occupied vehicle against Linder. He was booked into the Madison County Jail.

This incident underscores the critical importance of one of the most vital firearm safety rules: knowing your target and what is beyond it. In a defensive situation, it’s essential to remain aware not just of the immediate threat, but also of anything or anyone who could be unintentionally struck. In this case, a stray round hit an uninvolved person in a nearby vehicle, a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong when the backdrop isn’t fully considered. Responsible gun owners must always ensure that every shot fired has a clear and safe path—not just to the target, but beyond it as well.