Support Justice for Cedric

 On September 7, 2024, Cedric “Bug” Fuqua was at Fifth Avenue Park in Athens, Alabama, supporting his girlfriend’s cheer fundraiser. The park pavilion had been properly rented through the city, and the event was a normal community gathering. 

Cedric was 17 years old.

What began as a typical afternoon quickly changed.

Two adult men who were not residents of the nearby apartment complex came to the area looking for a confrontation over a prior issue that did not involve Cedric. Threats were made and calls for help were placed to both 911 and the non-emergency line. 911 stated that they would not send someone out until something actually happened.

According to available information, no officers responded at that time.

About an hour later, violence broke out near the apartment complex adjacent to the park. During the altercation, one of the men pulled out a firearm and shot an individual who was on the ground attempting to get away. 

In the chaos that followed, another firearm was knocked loose. Cedric picked up that weapon, believing that he and others were in immediate danger, and fired. 

Tragically, a life was lost that day.

Our hearts remain with the family affected by that loss. No one wanted this outcome.

There is, however, more to the story.

According to information presented in early proceedings, the firearms involved did not belong to Cedric. He did not bring a weapon to the scene and has never owned one. 

Cedric was taken into custody that day.

He has remained there ever since.

He is now 19 years old.

Since his arrest:

• He has spent nearly two years in custody 
• He has missed his junior and senior years of high school 
• He has lost critical time with his family 
• He has not had access to in-person visitation with his mother 

Three days after the incident, the charge was elevated to capital murder based on the presence of a child under 14 in the area, something Cedric did not know and could not have known. 

Cedric deserves the opportunity for the full facts of that day to be heard.

His family believes he acted out of fear for his life and the safety of others in a rapidly escalating and dangerous situation.

They are seeking the resources needed to ensure his case is fully investigated and properly represented.

 All statements above are based on information currently available and will be supported by evidence presented in court.