Man indicted in Birmingham killing of 21-year-old father-to-be during robbery
A Jefferson County grand jury on Aug. 7, 2026, indicted Malik Quintawn Austin with capital murder in the slaying 21-year-old Tre’Von Nyheim Douglas just months before the birth of his son.
Ethan Parker 
A 25-year-old man faces a capital murder charge following an indictment by a Jefferson County grand jury on Aug. 7, 2026. Malik Quintawn Austin is accused in the 2025 slaying of 21-year-old Tre’Von Nyheim Douglas, who was killed just months before the birth of his son.
The indictment, which was made public on Tuesday, follows previous court testimony suggesting the victim was targeted in a calculated robbery. Authorities allege the victim was set up and killed during the incident.
The Investigation
Douglas was discovered dead on Feb. 15, 2025, behind a vacant house in the 1400 block of 33rd Street. The fatal shooting occurred just one day after Austin was released from the Jefferson County Jail, where a judge had previously continued his probation on a separate robbery conviction.
According to Birmingham homicide Det. Ethan Sentelle, Douglas had departed his apartment off U.S. 280 on that Saturday with Austin and another man, reportedly carrying between $600 and $800 for a planned gun purchase arranged by Austin. Neighbors reported hearing a loud gunshot shortly before 4:30 p.m. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service officially pronounced Douglas dead at the scene at 4:46 p.m.
Evidence and Aftermath
A witness reported seeing two men walk toward the backyard of the house—a property previously owned by Austin’s family—before hearing a shot and seeing one man drive away in a truck. Investigators later recovered a .45 caliber shell casing at the scene.
While Douglas’s family attempted to reach him throughout the day, Austin allegedly told the victim's girlfriend he had merely dropped Douglas off. However, digital evidence painted a different picture. Detective Sentelle testified that a search warrant for Austin’s Facebook account revealed messages between the two. Authorities further stated that shortly before the murder, Austin sent a text message detailing a plan: “When we roll up, I’ll run it right then. Don’t let him grab nothing. We’re going to leave him here.”
When police found Douglas, his cash and cell phone were missing. Austin remains in the Jefferson County Jail without bond, and a trial date has not yet been set.
