Judge denies request to dismiss charges in Legacy Event Center shooting

Attorneys for suspect Ashton Elliott cited lost evidence, but judge rules case will proceed.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:05pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent bullet casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the investigation into the deadly shooting.The loss of critical evidence in the Legacy Event Center shooting case raises concerns about accountability and the pursuit of justice.Huntsville Today

A judge has denied a motion to dismiss charges against Ashton Elliott, who is accused in a deadly shooting at the Legacy Event Center in Huntsville, Alabama that left two people dead and around a dozen wounded in January 2023. Elliott's attorneys had filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing lost evidence including 14 'crucial' recorded interviews, but the judge ruled the case will move forward despite the missing evidence.

Why it matters

The Legacy Event Center shooting was a high-profile and tragic incident that shook the Huntsville community. The judge's decision to deny the motion to dismiss the charges against Elliott means he will still face trial, though the missing evidence could complicate the prosecution's case.

The details

Attorneys for Ashton Elliott filed a motion in February to dismiss the case against him, arguing that 14 'crucial' recorded interviews related to the investigation - including interviews with other suspects - were missing and could not be recovered. The filing also said the case file is missing the crime-scene log and written witness statements. However, the judge ruled that the charges against Elliott will not be dropped, despite the lost evidence.

  • The shooting happened in January 2023.
  • Elliott's attorneys filed the motion to dismiss the case in February 2026.
  • The judge ruled on the motion to dismiss in April 2026.

The players

Ashton Elliott

The man accused in the deadly shooting at the Legacy Event Center.

Kaitlyn Jenkins

One of the two 20-year-old victims killed in the shooting.

Quantasia Grant

One of the two 20-year-old victims killed in the shooting.

Randy Dill

Madison County Deputy District Attorney who argued against dismissing the case.

Trinton Bouldin, Damarcus Thompson, Tamarian Rice, and Ja'quan Lewis

Four other people charged in connection with the shooting.

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What they’re saying

“The interviews were never archived and can never be recovered.”

— Randy Dill, Madison County Deputy District Attorney

What’s next

The case against Ashton Elliott will now proceed to trial, despite the missing evidence that his attorneys had cited in their motion to dismiss.

The takeaway

This ruling highlights the challenges prosecutors can face when key evidence goes missing, even in high-profile criminal cases. It also underscores the importance of proper evidence preservation and archiving procedures for law enforcement.