Shoals man killed in home invasion - WAFF-TV: News, Weather and Sports for Huntsville, AL

By Josh Ault
WAFF 48 News Reporter

New details tonight in the investigation into a brutal murder in the Shoals. 

Three gunmen wearing ski masks broke into a Colbert County home shortly after midnight.  Before they left, they shot and killed someone inside.

WAFF 48 News was able to contact the victim's teenage son.  He was still in shock, and had a hard time grasping why anyone would want to do this to his family.

18-year-old Harry Ricks Junior was staying with his grandmother down the road when the shooting happened.

Ricks said, "It's sad, I don't know what happened."

Harry James Ricks Senior died from a single gunshot.  He was shot in the head at his home on Gate 6 Road, just east of Muscle Shoals.  Investigators say the three men kicked in the front door, and used duct tape and plastic ties to tie up Ricks, his wife, and their teenage daughter.  The men demanded money, but the family said they did not have any.  Ricks tried to get away and that is when one of the suspects shot him.

Ronnie May, Colbert County Sheriff, said, "Family indicated as soon as the shot was fired . . . that all three men ran out of the house."

Investigators do not have a good description of the men, or what kind of vehicle they were driving.

Ricks said, "I don't know why, I don't know a reason why, why they would do this."

Tarsha King, the victim's cousin, said, "It was just crazy, he was a very good person, very quiet, just laid back, I just don't understand."

Ricks says he does not know who would do this, and can not think of anyone who did not like his family.  He says his father was a great man.

"He would give you his shirt off his back," said Ricks.

Now he wants whoever did this caught, so his family does not have to live in fear.

You can contact Josh at jault@waff.com