UPDATE: Coroner IDs victim and suspect in Monday’s fatal home invasion

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Stephen K. Griffith / Griffith, Lowry & Meherg

Updated 7-18-17 1:18 p.m.

CULLMAN – Cullman County Coroner Jeremy L. Kilpatrick has identified the two people who were killed Monday night in a fatal home invasion on County Road 1301 in north Cullman County.

The victim has been identified as Stephen K. Griffith, 73, of Vinemont, a prominent Cullman attorney. The assailant has been identified as Patrick O. Walker, 45, of Jones Chapel. Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry confirmed Monday night that the homeowner, now identified as Griffith, was shot. He did not elaborate on the assailant's manner of death.

The deadly incident occurred some time after 5 p.m. Monday, according to Gentry.

Authorities have released few details up to this point, with Gentry briefly speaking to the media late Monday night at the Kelley Community Center off of Eva Road, near where the incident occurred. At that time, Gentry said, "What I can confirm is that this afternoon, approximately a little after 5 p.m., we had a homeowner that was shot and killed at a residence located in Cullman County. The individual that shot and killed that individual was also killed by another occupant at the residence, and at this time, my heart and my prayers go out to the family..and that's all we're going to release right now."

Gentry will hold a press conference today at 3 p.m. to give more information. The Cullman Tribune will be livestreaming the press conference on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CullmanTribune.

Griffith was a longtime attorney in Cullman, and was most recently a partner in the law firm of Griffith, Lowry & Meherg. He also served as a member on the Cullman County 911 Board. According to his firm's website, Griffith had practiced law for 49 years.

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