The Park at Galleria Shooting.jpg

Caleb Tyrell Tarver-Clifton, William Alexander Smith and Marques Edward Tetter are charged with first-degree burglary. Tetter was wounded by gunfire during an Aug. 23 break-in. A fourth suspect remains at large.

(Hoover Police)

A 23-year-old man shot in Hoover Tuesday was one of four burglary suspects breaking into an apartment at The Park at Galleria complex, police said today.

The shooting happened about 4 p.m. Tuesday at complex on Hampton Park Drive off of Lorna Road. Police arrived on the scene, but found no victim. They received a call a short time later from St. Vincent's Hospital saying a gunshot victim had showed up at the emergency room suffering from wounds to the arm and torso from a shotgun blast. He was then transferred to UAB Hospital.

Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector said investigators learned the four burglary suspects drove to the 1800 building of the complex to settle a dispute with an acquaintance there. At least two of the suspects were armed with a metal pipe and a hammer when they kicked in the apartment door.

A man inside the apartment was armed with a shotgun, and he fired, injuring one of the burglars. The suspects then retreated, fled the scene and drove to the hospital.

The wounded man has been identified Marques Edward Tetter, of Hoover. He is charged with first-degree burglary with bond set at $20,000. He will be transferred to the Jefferson County Jail once he is released from the hospital, Rector said.

The other accused burglars in custody are William Alexander Smith, 23, of Hoover and Caleb Tyrell Tarver-Clifton, 20, also of Hoover. Both are charged with first-degree robbery with bond set at $20,000 each as well.

The fourth burglar has not yet been taken into custody.

The man who fired the shots inside the apartment is Kendal Ramel Cox, who police found hiding in the apartment. While he is not charged in the shooting - which authorities deemed self-defense - he is charged with possession of a short-barreled shotgun and first-degree marijuana. His bond is set at $7,500.

Kendal Ramel Cox

"There appeared to be an on-going dispute between the individuals involved in this confrontation, and drug activity clearly played a role,'' said Hoover police Capt. Gregg Rector. "The Park at Galleria Apartments, and particularly the 1800 building, has been an area that we have focused our efforts in the past."

He said Hoover officers are very familiar with the suspects and the areas they frequent. "For three of the four, this is not even their first arrest for the month of August,'' he said. "They hang out, they cause trouble and continue to be a menace on the good people who live in this area."

Court records show Smith was arrested Aug. 10 on charges of possession of marijuana and unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle. Tetter has pending charges from July 29 that include obstructing government operations, attempting to elude, unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle and receiving stolen property.

"They're obviously on our radar," he said, "and we'll certainly give them the attention they deserve when they post bond again."