Aaron Mays, 23, Charged With Murder in Slapout Parking Lot Shooting

Aaron Mays, 23, of Eclectic was arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting in the parking lot of a Slapout convenience store—locally referred to as The Girl’s Store—about 10:00 p.m. on Feb. 13, 2026 that left Joel Whitus, 42, of Millbrook dead, Elmore County authorities said.

Sheriff Bill Franklin described the sequence that led to the shooting, saying Whitus and another man had attended a Beat the Streets meeting, described by organizers as a community anti-drug and anti-violence effort, before they were driven to the store. Franklin said Mays was a passenger in a vehicle that pulled up immediately after the car carrying Whitus; Mays’ girlfriend was driving their car. Franklin recounted the moments at the lot, saying, “Mays’ girlfriend is driving their car and she gets out and goes into the store before Mr. Whitus,” Franklin said. “When Whitus gets out of the car he is riding in, his hand apparently touches the other car. When May’s girlfriend comes out he tells her ‘That guy hit your car,’ or something to that effect. “When Whitus comes out of the store Mays confronts him and Whitus raises his hands as if to question what was going on. That raising of his hands revealed a handgun tucked into Mr. Whitus’ waistband.”

Franklin said Mays told investigators he felt threatened and that Whitus struck him. Authorities allege Mays then retrieved a handgun from the vehicle and shot Whitus one time in the chest. Deputies said Mays and his girlfriend left the gas station after the shooting but later returned; deputies arrested Mays when they came back and charged him with murder.

Elmore County District Attorney CJ Robinson has authorized an autopsy on Whitus’ body at the request of the sheriff’s office, and sheriff’s officials said results of that examination and any ballistic testing remain pending. Franklin said a bond hearing for Mays is expected in the coming week and stressed how investigators are approaching the case, saying, “We feel strong in the facts that resulted in the charge of murder.” He added, “I’m sure the defense will raise the question of self-defense and we will have to deal with that sometime in the process.”

The victim’s name has also appeared in public reports as Joel Austin Whitus; authorities have not yet released a full set of forensic findings. Investigators have not publicly confirmed whether Whitus’ firearm was recovered or whether it was discharged, and prosecutors have not filed additional charging information beyond the murder count as of the sheriff’s announcement. Local residents seeking updates may contact the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office or the district attorney’s office for official records and scheduled court proceedings.