January 12, 2024, News Release

Louisa – Today, Commonwealth’s Attorney Rusty McGuire announced the conviction of David A. Branham, of Madison County, of first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of the murder of Alex Brown on May 9, 2023.

Last Spring, Alex Brown’s ex-wife called him to tell him she was moving out of Branham’s house and asked Alex to take full-time custody of their children.  She indicated things were too toxic with the Defendant.  This led to a custody hearing on May 9, 2023, in the Madison County Juvenile and Domestic Court.  That morning at 4:30 a.m., the Defendant went to a 7-Eleven seeking to purchase a firearm without obtaining a government record.  This incident was caught on camera.  At 6:30 a.m., he sent threatening texts to Alex telling him to be careful coming to court today.  When the attorneys for the custody case and Alex’s ex-wife saw the messages at court, they were concerned the Defendant would harm Alex.  The Defendant left the courthouse before the custody hearing after being confronted him about the threatening texts.

Branham went home and grabbed a shotgun and a box of shells and drove to a gated community in Louisa County where Alex’s mother lived.  He accessed the neighborhood without an access card by closely trailing behind an authorized vehicle at 3:10 p.m. The victim arrived at the community nine minutes later.  The Defendant was waiting when the victim arrived at his mom’s house.  Upon seeing Brown, the Defendant exited his truck with the shotgun and started shooting.  He fired three times through the car, missing both women in the car but striking Alex at least once.  The car drove to the end of the driveway where Alex jumped out and ran inside bleeding.  The Defendant followed him into the residence and shot again.  Alex managed to flee the house and ran down the street,  with the Defendant trailing him reloading and continuing to fire.

Alex made it to the third house down the street where he began to beat on the door screaming for help.  A utility worker, who also works as a volunteer firefighter, heard the screams of the women and drove to the sounds of the gunshots.  He made it to the scene for the final shots which were caught on video from his dashcam.  He heard the victim screaming for help before the Defendant executed him while shouting profanities.

Speaking on the conviction, McGuire said: “This was a tragedy that will scar many for the rest of their life.  From the three children who will grow up without their father, to Alex’s mother, girlfriend, and stepfather who witnessed the murder, and the numerous neighbors, litigants, and workers who witnessed this heinous crime and will carry this trauma because of the Defendant’s callous actions.  However, we are thankful that technology played a major hand in resolving this case.  Everything the witnesses told the Commonwealth was corroborated by video or forensic evidence.”  Co-counsel, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Megan Riordan, also said: “We are thankful to the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and especially the citizens who called in after seeing this case on the news. Their quick action allowed for the rapid collection of all the video evidence in this case.”

The Defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on April 13, 2024, where he faces life plus three years in prison.  The Court scheduled the case on a Saturday because of the workload of Lousia and to give the family closure in this case.