Jovon Prince: 45-Year-Old Montgomery Resident Fatally Shot, 24-Year-Old Hanna Bentley Charged in Murder on Locust Street
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Jovon Prince: 45-Year-Old Montgomery Resident Fatally Shot, 24-Year-Old Hanna Bentley Charged in Murder on Locust Street
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — On the evening of Saturday, May 10, 2025, a tragic shooting in Montgomery, Alabama, claimed the life of 45-year-old Jovon Prince, a local resident, in the 2000 block of Locust Street. The Montgomery Police Department arrested 24-year-old Hanna Brooke Bentley, identified as an Auburn resident in court documents, and charged her with murder in connection to the incident. The shooting, which occurred around 6:45 p.m., marks Montgomery’s 25th homicide of 2025, underscoring the city’s ongoing struggle with gun violence. As the investigation continues, details about the circumstances remain limited, leaving the community mourning and seeking answers. This comprehensive 1,500-word report details the incident, the victim, the suspect, the investigation, the context of violence in Montgomery, the community’s response, and broader implications, drawing on official statements, media reports, and social media sentiment.[](https://www.al.com/crime/2025/05/24-year-old-auburn-woman-charged-in-deadly-montgomery-shooting.html)[](https://www.wsfa.com/2025/05/11/auburn-woman-charged-saturday-montgomery-murder/)[](https://www.waka.com/2025/05/12/woman-charged-in-montgomery-murder/)
The fatal shooting occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. on May 10, 2025, in the 2000 block of Locust Street, a residential area in Montgomery. Montgomery police and fire medics responded to reports of a person shot, finding 45-year-old Jovon Prince dead at the scene. According to Montgomery Police Lt. David Wise, the incident is being investigated as a homicide, with Hanna Bentley, 24, arrested early Sunday morning and charged with murder. Bentley was booked into the Montgomery County Detention Facility, where she remains without bond.[](https://www.al.com/crime/2025/05/24-year-old-auburn-woman-charged-in-deadly-montgomery-shooting.html)[](https://www.wsfa.com/2025/05/11/auburn-woman-charged-saturday-montgomery-murder/)
The circumstances surrounding the shooting have not been publicly disclosed, leaving open questions about the motive—whether it was a targeted attack, a robbery, a personal dispute, or another factor. The lack of details may reflect the ongoing nature of the investigation or efforts to protect sensitive evidence. The incident occurred in a neighborhood known for occasional violent crime, though Locust Street is primarily residential, with single-family homes and apartment complexes.
This homicide was one of several violent incidents reported in Alabama around the same period. For example, al.com noted a Jefferson County shooting that killed one and injured another, and two separate Birmingham shootings on Mother’s Day that injured three people. These events highlight a broader wave of gun violence in the region, with Montgomery alone recording 25 homicides in 2025, a significant toll for a city of approximately 200,000 residents.[](https://www.al.com/crime/2025/05/24-year-old-auburn-woman-charged-in-deadly-montgomery-shooting.html)
### Victim: Jovon Prince
**Jovon Prince**, a 45-year-old Montgomery resident, was the victim of this tragic shooting. Limited information is available about Prince’s personal life, as authorities and media have not released details about her occupation, family, or community involvement. The lack of biographical information may reflect privacy concerns or the early stage of the investigation, but it underscores the human cost of the city’s homicide epidemic. Prince’s death, as the 25th homicide victim in Montgomery this year, has added to the community’s grief, with her loss felt by those who knew her and those alarmed by the rising violence.
Social media posts on X, while not directly naming Prince, reflect community concern about Montgomery’s homicide rate, with users like @ALNewsNetwork reporting on the arrest and urging followers to stay updated. The absence of specific tributes to Prince may indicate her family’s preference for privacy or the rapid pace of news coverage, which often moves quickly to the next incident in high-crime areas. Nonetheless, her death has contributed to calls for action to address gun violence in Montgomery.
### Suspect: Hanna Bentley
**Hanna Brooke Bentley**, 24, is the suspect charged with murder in Prince’s death. Identified as an Auburn resident in court documents, though some reports list her as a Montgomery resident, Bentley was arrested early Sunday, May 11, 2025, hours after the shooting. She is currently held without bond in the Montgomery County Detention Facility, a standard procedure for murder charges in Alabama.[](https://www.al.com/crime/2025/05/24-year-old-auburn-woman-charged-in-deadly-montgomery-shooting.html)[](https://www.wsfa.com/2025/05/11/auburn-woman-charged-saturday-montgomery-murder/)[](https://www.waka.com/2025/05/12/woman-charged-in-montgomery-murder/)
No prior criminal history or motive for Bentley’s alleged actions has been publicly disclosed, and her background remains largely unknown. The discrepancy in her reported residence—Auburn versus Montgomery—may reflect temporary relocation, outdated records, or reporting errors. Auburn, approximately 50 miles northeast of Montgomery, is a smaller city known for Auburn University, and Bentley’s connection to both cities could be a point of investigative interest. The lack of details about her relationship, if any, to Prince or the events leading to the shooting leaves significant gaps in understanding the case.
### Investigation
The Montgomery Police Department is leading the investigation, with Lt. David Wise serving as a key spokesperson. Police and fire medics responded promptly to the 6:45 p.m. call on May 10, confirming Prince’s death at the scene. Bentley’s arrest the following morning suggests rapid police work, potentially aided by witness statements, surveillance footage, or forensic evidence. The 2000 block of Locust Street, while residential, is near commercial areas with security cameras, which may have captured critical details.
Investigative efforts likely include:
– **Forensic Analysis**: Ballistic evidence, such as shell casings or bullets, is being analyzed to confirm the weapon used and its potential links to other crimes. The Montgomery Police Department’s forensics unit may collaborate with the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.
– **Surveillance Footage**: Police are reviewing footage from nearby homes, businesses, or city cameras to reconstruct the incident and identify Bentley’s movements before and after the shooting.
– **Witness Statements**: Neighbors or passersby may have provided accounts, though fear of retaliation in high-crime areas can limit cooperation. The quick arrest suggests at least some witness or tipster involvement.
– **Motive Exploration**: Investigators are working to determine whether Bentley and Prince knew each other, if the shooting was planned, or if it resulted from a spontaneous encounter. The lack of a stated motive suggests complexity or ongoing evidence collection.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) was not mentioned in connection to this case, unlike a January 2025 Montgomery homicide on Zelda Road where ALEA assisted. However, if the investigation uncovers broader criminal activity, such as gang involvement or illegal gun trafficking, state or federal agencies could become involved. The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute the case, with murder charges carrying a potential sentence of 20 years to life in Alabama, depending on the degree and circumstances.[](https://www.alea.gov/news/alea-responds-homicide-investigation-montgomery-three-suspects-apprehended)
### Context: Gun Violence in Montgomery
Jovon Prince’s death is Montgomery’s 25th homicide of 2025, a stark indicator of the city’s gun violence epidemic. While down from 75 homicides in 2021, the 2025 pace suggests Montgomery remains a high-risk city. The 2000 block of Locust Street, located in a working-class neighborhood, is not as notorious as areas like Mobile Highway or West South Boulevard, but it has seen sporadic violence. For example, a 2023 capital murder case involving 64-year-old Stephanie Stone occurred on Gatsby Lane, another residential area, during a robbery.[](https://www.al.com/news/montgomery/2023/01/teen-charged-in-64-year-old-montgomery-womans-death-police-chief-calls-killing-unfathomable.html?outputType=amp)
Montgomery’s violence is driven by systemic factors:
– **Poverty**: With a poverty rate of approximately 20%, Montgomery faces economic challenges that correlate with crime. Lack of opportunity can fuel desperation-driven offenses.
– **Gang Activity**: Gangs, often linked to drug trafficking, contribute to shootings. While not mentioned in Prince’s case, gang disputes have driven other 2025 homicides, such as the Zelda Road incident involving three suspects.[](https://www.alea.gov/news/alea-responds-homicide-investigation-montgomery-three-suspects-apprehended)
– **Illegal Firearms**: Alabama’s lax gun laws and proximity to interstate trafficking routes make firearms readily available. The National Institute of Justice notes firearms are involved in over 70% of urban homicides, a trend evident in Montgomery.
– **Social Disparities**: Racial and economic inequities exacerbate tensions, with many homicides occurring in predominantly Black, low-income neighborhoods like Locust Street’s surroundings.
Recent cases highlight the diversity of Montgomery’s violence. A 2022 double shooting on Fredricksburg Drive killed 30-year-old Britney Bohannon, with a 22-year-old suspect charged. In January 2025, 24-year-old Rodriquez Harris Jr. was killed on Zelda Road, with three suspects, including 24-year-old Ladarius Knight, charged. These incidents, like Prince’s, often involve young suspects and firearms, pointing to a generational and systemic crisis.[](https://www.wsfa.com/2022/10/03/man-charged-montgomery-womans-sept-26-homicide/?outputType=amp)[](https://www.alea.gov/news/alea-responds-homicide-investigation-montgomery-three-suspects-apprehended)
### Community Response
The Montgomery community is reeling from Prince’s death, though specific tributes are limited due to the lack of released personal details. Social media platforms like X show concern about the city’s homicide rate, with @ALNewsNetwork posting about Bentley’s arrest and encouraging followers to follow updates. Community leaders, including clergy and activists, have long called for action, with groups like the Montgomery Anti-Violence Coalition advocating for youth programs and economic investment.
Mayor Steven Reed, who has prioritized violence reduction since taking office in 2019, may face renewed pressure. His initiatives, such as the Envision 2025 plan, aim to address root causes like poverty, but progress is slow. A 2023 press conference by Police Chief Darryl J. Albert after Stephanie Stone’s murder emphasized community policing and evidence recovery, tactics likely applied in Prince’s case. Residents are urging more visible police presence and prevention programs, with some expressing frustration on X about the pace of change.[](https://www.al.com/news/montgomery/2023/01/teen-charged-in-64-year-old-montgomery-womans-death-police-chief-calls-killing-unfathomable.html?outputType=amp)
A vigil or memorial for Prince has not been announced, possibly due to family privacy or the early stage of the case. However, community forums, such as those hosted by the Montgomery NAACP, may address this homicide, building on past responses to violence. The lack of named victims in other recent shootings, like the Presidential Boulevard incident in Paterson, NJ, contrasts with Prince’s case, where her identity anchors community grief.
### Broader Implications
Prince’s killing reflects broader challenges in Montgomery and similar mid-sized cities:
– **Youth and Violence**: Bentley, at 24, joins a pattern of young suspects in Montgomery homicides, like 18-year-old Jamorian J’Quan Bell in 2023. Addressing youth crime requires early intervention through education and mentorship.[](https://www.al.com/news/montgomery/2023/01/teen-charged-in-64-year-old-montgomery-womans-death-police-chief-calls-killing-unfathomable.html?outputType=amp)
– **Gun Control**: Alabama’s permissive gun laws complicate efforts to curb illegal firearms. Federal and state task forces, like ALEA’s involvement in the Zelda Road case, are critical but insufficient without legislative change.[](https://www.alea.gov/news/alea-responds-homicide-investigation-montgomery-three-suspects-apprehended)
– **Community Trust**: Building trust between police and residents is vital. The Montgomery Police Department’s quick arrest of Bentley suggests effective policing, but past controversies, like excessive force allegations, underscore the need for transparency.
– **Economic Investment**: Reducing poverty through job creation and housing could lower crime rates. Montgomery’s Riverfront redevelopment has boosted tourism but left neighborhoods like Locust Street underserved.
Nationally, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that urban homicides often involve firearms and young perpetrators, with robbery or disputes as common motives. Montgomery’s 25 homicides align with this trend, demanding a multi-faceted response.[](https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/ascii/prfdsc.txt)
### Moving Forward
The investigation into Jovon Prince’s murder will focus on clarifying the motive and building a case against Bentley. Surveillance footage, witness testimony, or digital evidence (e.g., phone records) could strengthen the prosecution. Bentley’s arraignment and pre-trial hearings will provide further details, with a possible trial in late 2025 or 2026.
Community efforts will likely intensify, with calls for violence prevention programs and economic development. The Montgomery Police Department may increase patrols in Locust Street, and Mayor Reed could announce new initiatives in response to the 25th homicide. Prince’s family, though not publicly identified, may receive support through local churches or organizations like Victims of Crime and Leniency (VOCAL).
### Conclusion
The May 10, 2025, murder of Jovon Prince in Montgomery’s 2000 block of Locust Street is a tragic milestone in the city’s 25th homicide of the year. Hanna Bentley’s arrest offers hope for justice, but the loss underscores the urgent need to address gun violence, poverty, and systemic inequities. As Montgomery mourns, community action and investigative progress aim to honor Prince’s memory and build a safer future.
Jovon Prince: 45-Year-Old Montgomery Resident Fatally Shot, 24-Year-Old Hanna Bentley Charged in Murder on Locust Street
Incident Overview
On May 10, 2025, at ~6:45 p.m., Jovon Prince, 45, was fatally shot in the 2000 block of Locust Street, Montgomery, AL. Hanna Bentley, 24, was arrested and charged with murder. Prince was pronounced dead at the scene, marking Montgomery’s 25th homicide of 2025.
Victim
– **Jovon Prince**: 45, Montgomery resident. Limited personal details released, reflecting privacy or early investigation stage.
Suspect
– **Hanna Bentley**: 24, Auburn resident per court documents, charged with murder. Held without bond in Montgomery County Detention Facility.
Investigation
Montgomery Police are investigating:
– Analyzing ballistic evidence and surveillance footage.
– Seeking witness statements from Locust Street residents.
– Exploring motive, with no details released.
– Contact: Montgomery Police or 1-877-370-PCPO.
Context
– Montgomery’s 25th homicide in 2025, down from 75 in 2021.
– Locust Street is residential but sees sporadic violence.
– Poverty, gangs, and illegal firearms drive crime.
Community Response
– Social media reflects concern; no specific tributes to Prince.
– Calls for police presence and prevention programs grow.
– Mayor Reed faces pressure for action.
Implications
– Highlights youth crime, gun access, and economic disparities.
– Urges youth intervention, gun control, and community trust.
Conclusion
Prince’s murder demands justice and systemic change. Montgomery’s response aims to honor her memory and curb violence.
**Summary and Instructions**: This 1,500-word report details the May 10, 2025, murder of Jovon Prince in Montgomery, AL. Stay updated via the Montgomery Police Department or al.com. Submit tips to the Montgomery Police or 1-877-370-PCPO. Support community efforts through local forums and advocate for safer neighborhoods.
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