A Montgomery judge on Friday set bond at $175,000 for a 22‑year‑old Fort Lauderdale man accused of killing his girlfriend, an Alabama State University student who was found dead at an off‑campus facility earlier this week.
Accused detained; bond and court conditions announced
Jalil Bivens, 22, was granted bond in Montgomery County District Court on charges of murder in the death of 20‑year‑old Ava Walters, who also was from Fort Lauderdale, according to court records. Walters, a second‑year health information management major at Alabama State University, was discovered unresponsive just before 11 a.m. Sunday at an off‑campus ASU facility on Interstate Park Drive. Authorities pronounced her dead at the scene.
District Judge Pamela R. Higgins ordered several conditions as part of the bond. Court records state that Bivens must remain in the state of Alabama unless he receives permission from the court to leave. He is barred from committing any criminal offense while out on bond and must notify the court of any changes to his address or phone number.
| Defendant | Charge | Bond | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jalil Bivens, 22 | Murder | $175,000 | Remain in Alabama; avoid criminal offenses; notify court of address/phone changes |
Investigation details and community response
Montgomery police say their investigation indicates Walters was strangled, based in part on statements attributed to the accused. No additional factual details about the alleged killing or the relationship between Bivens and Walters were included in the court documents made public Friday.
Alabama State University officials responded to the student's death with a formal statement expressing grief. In his message, ASU President Quinton T. Ross Jr. extended condolences to Walters' family and the university community.
"On behalf of the Alabama State University Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, alumni and students, I extend my deepest condolences to Ms. Walters' family, friends, classmates, and all who knew and loved her," Ross said.
The university identified Walters as a second‑year student in the health information management program. Officials did not provide further details about campus safety measures or events planned in response to the death; the school said it is mourning her loss.
- Victim: Ava Walters, 20, second‑year ASU student from Fort Lauderdale.
- Accused: Jalil Bivens, 22, of Fort Lauderdale; charged with murder.
- Location: Off‑campus ASU facility on Interstate Park Drive; found just before 11 a.m. Sunday.
Next steps in the case
This remains a developing case. Court records show the bond and its conditions, but additional proceedings will determine whether charges are pursued to trial. The Montgomery Police Department and the district attorney's office will handle ongoing investigative and prosecutorial steps.
Authorities have not publicly released a timeline for further hearings, nor have they provided additional forensic or motive information. The district court order restricting Bivens' travel and requiring notification of contact information changes is standard in serious felony matters where courts set conditions to reduce flight risk and preserve public safety.
ASU leaders and local law enforcement ask anyone with information relevant to the case to come forward to investigators. The university community is expected to receive updates as officials confirm additional facts and outline resources for students and staff affected by the incident.
WE NEWS will continue to follow court filings and official statements and will update coverage as new information becomes available.
