Joshua Darren McClain, 39, Killed in Florence Smoke Shop Shooting; Suspect Arrested

Joshua Darren McClain, 39, of Florence, Alabama, was killed in a November 7 shooting at Black Light Smoke Shop. A second person was injured, and police arrested a suspect facing murder and felony reckless endangerment charges.

The Florence, Alabama, community is mourning Joshua Darren McClain, who was fatally shot at a local smoke shop on Saturday, November 7, 2026. He was 39 years old. The shooting also left another person injured and led to the arrest of a Florence resident.

According to reporting by WAFF 48, citing the Florence Police Department, officers responded to the incident at Black Light Smoke Shop on Florence Boulevard. Police identified McClain as the person who died.

Fatal Shooting at Black Light Smoke Shop

Police received a report of a shooting at approximately 3:04 p.m. at Black Light Smoke Shop, located at 1555 Florence Boulevard in Florence.

When officers arrived, they found two people suffering from gunshot wounds. McClain died from his injuries, while the second victim sustained a gunshot wound described as non-life-threatening and received medical treatment.

Earlier that afternoon, police had asked members of the public to avoid the area near the 1500 block of Florence Boulevard while officers responded.

Suspect Identified and Arrested

Florence police identified the suspect as 28-year-old Rayshon Isaiah Thompson, also of Florence.

According to the department, detectives developed probable cause to charge Thompson with:

• Murder.

• Felony reckless endangerment.

Thompson was being held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center without bond pending an Aniah’s Law hearing. Police had not publicly explained what led to the shooting in their initial statement.

The charges are allegations, and Thompson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Joshua Darren McClain Remembered by the Florence Community

McClain’s death has affected people beyond his immediate family. WAFF reported that Rusty Stanford, owner of a nearby tattoo business and a friend of McClain, expressed condolences to his family and described the incident as devastating.

His death is being remembered not only as a criminal investigation but also as a loss felt by people who knew him personally.

Family and Funeral Arrangements

The initial police-related reporting confirms McClain’s identity and age but does not provide a detailed account of his surviving relatives, personal background or funeral arrangements.

Those details should be added when confirmed through a family announcement or funeral-home obituary rather than assumed.

Disclaimer

This article is based on reporting by WAFF 48 citing information from the Florence Police Department. The shooting, McClain’s identity, his age and the arrest have been reported by the local news outlet.

The suspect’s charges have not been established as convictions. The investigation and court proceedings remain ongoing, and the motive and circumstances leading to the shooting had not been publicly explained in the report reviewed.

Heartfelt condolences go to Joshua Darren McClain’s loved ones and everyone affected by this tragedy.