Vance Man Jailed More Than a Month After Deputy-Involved Shooting That Killed His Sister

The Vance man shot by Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's deputies during a warrant service that also left his sister dead has been jailed more than a month after the incident, following his release from medical treatment.

As the Thread has previously reported, TCSO deputies arrived at a Gladys Drive residence in Vance at approximately 5 a.m. on May 28 to arrest Ricky Dale Adkins, 36, on an active felony warrant. Court documents show he was wanted after a November 2025 incident in which investigators say he pointed a pistol at a neighbor in Vance during a confrontation over reckless ATV driving.

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Court documents say previous drug-related felony convictions in Florida outlawed Adkins from possessing a firearm, so warrants were issued to arrest him for menacing and having the gun.

When deputies arrived to arrest him in late May, Ricky Adkins was in a tent in the backyard of the Gladys Drive property with his 43-year-old sister, Kristie Lynn Adkins, who reportedly lied to police about his identity and presence.

Investigators who have seen the body camera footage said when deputies ordered Ricky Adkins to remove a face covering, he produced a BB gun designed to resemble a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield semiautomatic pistol and pointed it at deputies, who opened fire.

Both siblings were struck. Kristie Adkins died at the scene; Ricky Adkins was transported to an area hospital with significant injuries.

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Even though he did not shoot her, Adkins was charged with manslaughter for the death of his sister, with VCU co-commander Captain Marty Sellers saying at the time that Adkins created the situation that led to the shooting.

Court records filed Tuesday show Adkins has been formally charged with all three crimes - manslaughter, menacing and illegally possessing a firearm - now that he has been released from medical care.

He is being held at the Tuscaloosa County Jail on a $30,300 bond. The three TCSO deputies involved in the May 28 shooting were placed on administrative leave after the shooting but are reportedly back at work.

For more exclusive coverage of crime and courts in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.