The Murder of Brucetravius Frazier
For this case, I watched an episode of The Murder Tapes, the episode and case was sent in to me as a recommendation, so thank you! It’s season 6 episode 2, titled ‘Fled on Foot.’
A 28-year-old man is found dead in his car.
Background
Brucetravius Frazier, or Bruce, as he was sometimes referred as, was a 28-year-old openly gay man. He had a very supportive family, and large group of friends. Brucetravius was popular, outgoing and outspoken. Those closest to him, said Brucetravius loved to joke around, but had a heart of gold.
Brucetravius Frazier
The Crime Scene
On July 23, 2018, the Opelika, Alabama police, responded to a crime scene on W.E. Morton Avenue.
There were many eyewitnesses standing outside when the police arrived. Many of them said they had been minding their own business, when they heard gunshots. One man said he went to take a closer look, and saw the victim in his car, “foaming at the mouth and bleeding.”
The victim was slumped against the driver’s side of a white Dodge Challenger. He was covered in blood, and had been shot in the head. The wound was eventually found behind the victim’s left ear.
The police and paramedics worked together to save the victim, as he was still breathing when the police arrived.
The victim was identified as Brucetravius Frazier. Many of the eyewitnesses knew him from around the area. His family was notified, and went to meet him at the hospital before he passed.
The Witness to a Crime
While investigating the crime scene, the police learned that Brucetravius had been shot in a different part of the neighborhood. He was then somehow able to move his car, and park it to the area where he was found.
The area where the crime had taken place near government assisted living apartments. The police searched the area for shell casings, and ended up finding 14 .9mm shell casings. The police were able to determine that the killer didn’t have a very good shot. He had hit Brucetravius once, and hit two outside walls of some homes nearby. Luckily, no one else was injured in the shooting.
The eyewitnesses at the scene told the police that there had been a female in the car, but that she had fled after the shooting. The female contacted the police, and identified herself as Lartosha Robinson.
Lartosha said she and Brucetravius were very close, and had met in 2005-2006. She said they had been out riding that day, when a man approached them when they drove into the neighborhood.
Lartosha said she remembers hearing Brucetravius talking to the man. The man then just started shooting, and hit Brucetravius, after he had rolled his window down to talk to the man.
Lartosha said Brucetravius’ head had slumped against the window. So, she grabbed the gas with her hand, and the steering wheel with her other. She was able to get the car out of the neighborhood. She put the car into park, and then ran to a neighbor’s house.
Tracking a Killer
Luckily, the apartments had surveillance footage. The whole shooting was caught on camera.
Brucetravius’ white car can be seen entering the neighborhood. A young black male walks up to the intersection, and talks to the driver, which we know from Lartosha’s story. The young man then starts shooting, and walks to the back of the apartments.
The patrol cars arrive soon after. The shooter looks around, starts running, and then sprints to a nearby apartment. The apartment belonged to a woman, but by the time the police went to look for the young man, he was not there.
The killer was soon identified as 18-year-old Gregory Todd. Lartosha was able to pick him out of a line up.
Gregory’s Story
Just weeks after Brucetravius’s murder, Lartosha was at home with her boyfriend. Her boyfriend had gotten up to use the bathroom, when he heard gunshots. Lartosha’s home had been shot at, and eyewitnesses were able to describe the exact vehicle that Gregory Todd drove, a brown Grand Marquis.
Gregory was still on the run at this point. He was able to get away again, when an officer initiated a traffic stop. Gregory had been in the passenger seat, and was able to flee.
On August 17, 2018, three weeks after Brucetravius’s murder, the U.S. Marshals had information about Gregory’s whereabouts. Gregory was located in Camp Hill, Alabama, and was taken into custody.
The police confronted Gregory, and said that the shooting was caught on tape. Gregory asked if he could see the tape, and the police just told him he could see it later.
Gregory was obviously very young. It didn't take the police long to get Gregory to start talking. They asked him if he had seen or had an argument with Brucetravius before. Gregory said he’d seen him around before, and that he was “always looking” at him. Gregory even went as far as saying that Brucetravius had a crush on him.
Gregory said that Brucetravius was looking at him as his car pulled up in the intersection. Gregory said he was already mad that day, and that Brucetravius was “mugging” him.
Gregory said Brucetravius had rolled down his window to say something, and must have seen his gun. Gregory said Brucetravius continued to taunt him, so he started shooting. The police asked Gregory how many times he shot the gun. Gregory guessed around 10.
The police also asked Gregory about the shooting at Lartosha’s home. Gregory said she didn’t know anything about that. He never confessed to being involved, and never gave up any of his friends that could’ve been involved.
The Conviction and Motive
In December 2020, Gregory accepted a plea deal. He was sentenced to consecutive sentences of 25 years for attempted murder and 30 years for murder. He will be eligible for parole in 2033.
The police believe that Gregory wanted to be the tough guy. He couldn’t be seen as weak, so he killed Brucetravius that day.
Gregory Todd
FINAL THOUGHTS
Three lives were ruined on this day. Luckily, Lartosha wasn't killed or injured, but I’m sure is scarred for life. She said she had never seen anyone die up close like that. I hope she’s doing well. Brucetravius seemed like such a great person, and so many people spoke so highly of him. He lost his life in such an awful way, and for a very stupid reason. Gregory also ruined his life. He was only 18, but will hopefully spend the rest of his life in prison.
Sources
https://showbizcorner.com/gregory-todd-brucetravious-frazier-killer-where-is-he-now
https://www.wtvm.com/2022/02/23/opelika-murder-case-be-featured-investigation-discovery-show/
https://www.al.com/news/anniston-gadsden/2018/08/georgia_man_charged_in_opelika.html
