Murder is still unusual in the Shoals area, and double murders are extremely rare. Add the element of an execution style hit and you have big news. It was certainly a huge story when Kayla Howard Glover, the daughter of a Florence police officer, and Gary (Bean) Baskins were murdered early one winter morning at Jody's Restaurant in Muscle Shoals.
The following accounts are taken from articles first published early in 2015 in Pen-N-Sword:
Kayla Ann Glover was 23. She had previously lived in Taylor, Michigan, and Killen, Alabama, but currently resided in Florence. The hostess at the Texas Roadhouse eatery on Cox Creek Pky. was a Brooks High grad who had attended NWSCC and was the mother of a young daughter, Natalia Rayne Glover.
Update: Family has reported to PNS that Kayla, who sometimes used the last name Morgan, was the mother to two children; however, she lists only one on her public bio. Kayla was the daughter of Hal and Sherry Howard. Hal is a Florence police officer.
Gary Wayne Baskins was a white male called “Bean” by his friends. He was a student at Florence High School until he dropped out, eventually getting his GED. Research revealed that he was no stranger to local law enforcement agencies. The 25 year old Baskins had a criminal history, having been charged with drug crimes in Florence as early as 2007. Records also show that in 2010, he had a First Degree Robbery arrest in Lauderdale County.
Baskins had just gotten out of prison about four months ago according to our information and was determined to make a 180 degree turn from his past life. During these past few months, he had applied many places for a job, but was finding it difficult due to his past record. His family and friends also said that he was a loving father to his three small children and, while had some drug issues in the past, was a person with a good heart.
Authorities say friends of the victims have reported seeing the couple together in Florence shortly before they were shot at Jody’s, a popular restaurant on Hwy. 72 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. The Muscle Shoals Police Department is the lead agency in charge of the investigation, being assisted by the Florence Police and Alabama Bureau of Investigation.
Then came speculation:
On March 15, 1997, Matt Williams was fatally shot while driving on Woodward Avenue. At the time, Muscle Shoals police theorized that the intended victim was a passenger in Williams’ truck. Information received is that at one time the passenger was a reputed member of the Crips Gang. While local authorities tell us gang activity is minimal in this area, it’s nevertheless present to some degree.
Our sources stated many years ago Baskins was associated with the gang, but had left the life style behind. Baskins, who was sometimes known as “GW” or “Bean,” wore the tattoo “3 18 9 16,” the numerical indicator for CRIP. Family believes the crime was a “payback,” but probably not gang-related.
From early February 2015:
UPDATE: A Muscle Shoals Police News Conference held earlier this week indicated authorities are still seeking leads in the double murder. Chief Robert Evans is requesting anyone with info on the shootings to call authorities. There is a 1K reward offered in the double slaying.
A source with the Muscle Shoals Police Department has stated there were multiple shots fired at the scene. The victims were sitting in Mrs. Glover’s car parked at the the Northwest corner of Jody’s Restaurant when the shooter approached and caught them unaware early Saturday morning.
Police believe the second victim, Kayla Ann Howard Glover, 23, was not the intended target but was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Apparently, after being hit in the leg, Kayla got out of the car and attempted to go for help in the restaurant, collapsing before making it to the door. Baskins, shot eight times, was found with money still on his person, making it appear there may have been a motive for the shooting other than robbery.
There is currently a minimum of $1K reward for information leading to the arrests of person or persons responsible. Please contact Muscle Shoals Police or Crime Stoppers at 386-8685 if you have any information about this incident.
March 2021: Six years after the gangland type hit that took the lives of Glover and Baskins, a 27 year-old Florence man has been arrested in connection with the crime. Shaun Michael Ryan has been charged with Capital Murder and remains in the Lauderdale County Detention Center awaiting trial.
Of the two others reported to be involved in the crime, one remains in prison charged with two other fatal encounters and the third remains free. Obviously, there will be more to come...
