Alcohol-fueled argument between lifelong friends leads to deadly Alabama shooting, officials say

FOLEY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — An alcohol-fueled argument over driving drunk led to the shooting that landed a Foley man in jail and charged with murder in the death of his friend of 30 years, according to investigators.

Michael Norton was in court Monday for a bond hearing after a shooting in his front yard early Sunday morning.

“I was practically in bed, and I heard three gunshots,” neighbor Laura Alexander said. “My first thought was that’s awfully close. Everybody is kind of in shock. They can’t believe that it happened here.”

Norton and David Adams, his long-time friend, did what most folks do on a Saturday night this time of year.

“They had gotten together that evening to watch a football game and decided they were going to go to a local bar and watch that and have some beers,” said Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Andy Ashton.

After the game, they returned to Norton’s home on Wolf Creek Drive. The incident took place as Adams was leaving, according to officials.

“A verbal argument occurred in the front yard, turned slightly physical at which time the suspect Mr. Norton pulled a .380 caliber pistol, shooting Mr. Adams twice in the chest,” Ashton said.

The 911 call came from inside Norton’s home, but it was too late. Adams died in Norton’s front yard.

“Sadly, it’s a case of people not having clear heads, and a lot of that has to do with times when people are drinking too much,” Ashton said. “They are not thinking clearly, and arguments happen, and things get extremely excessive and leads to this type of regret later.”

Norton’s bond was set at $150,000. If he is able to make that bond, he will have to wear an ankle monitor and be under house arrest.

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