Update on Shooting on South Park Over Weekend

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On June 12, 2026, just after 10:00 pm, the Dothan Police Department received reports of a firearm assault at a business in the 3700 block of South Park Avenue.  Upon arrival, officers found a female with a gunshot wound to the upper chest.  Immediate medical attention was given by officers until paramedics arrived to transport the victim to a local hospital.

According to investigators, the victim along with two other individuals were meeting with another group to buy marijuana.  During the meeting, payment for the drugs took longer than expected, which led to a tense argument between the parties.  During the argument, the suspect, Peyton Ann Kroger (24) of Ozark, pulled a firearm and fired rounds at the group.  One round struck the business behind the group while people in the group fled from gunfire.  After the group entered a vehicle to leave, Kroger approached the vehicle and fired more rounds.  This second round struck the victim in the upper chest.  The victims fled to the roundabout at Campbellton Road and Taylor Road to wait for law enforcement.  The victim was treated at a local hospital and released the same night.

During the investigation, officers were able to locate Kroger, who was taken into custody for the shooting without incident.  Kroger was arrested and charged with one count of Assault 1st degree, two counts of Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, and one count of Shooting into an Occupied Building.  Kroger was booked into the Houston County Jail and is being held without bond.

-Chief William E. Benny

Peyton Ann Kroger (24) of Ozark- Assault 1st degree, two counts Shooting into Occupied Vehicle, and Shooting into Occupied Building, No bond

Mugshots of the Day 06-12-2026 through 06-14-2026

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Mugshots of the Day 06-11-2026

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Mugshots of the Day 06-10-2026

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Mugshots of the Day 06-09-2026

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Mugshots of the Day 06-08-2026

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Mugshots of the Day 06-05-2026 through 06-07-2026

All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Midland City Woman Arrested for Shooting Firearm Into Vehicle In Domestic Incident

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On June 5, 2026, around 8:30 am, the Dothan Police Department received a call about shots fired at a business in the 1500 block of Montgomery Highway.  When officers arrived, the suspect, identified as Melva Lee Guilford, was actively firing her gun in the air and into a nearby vehicle.  Officers made contact with Guilford, and she complied with demands to drop the weapon.  Guilford was taken into custody without further incident.

According to investigators, Guilford was upset at relationship problems with the victim and arrived at the victim’s place of employment armed with a firearm.  The vehicle that was shot was the victim’s vehicle.  Guilford was arrested and charged with one count of Shooting into an Unoccupied Vehicle and Domestic Violence 3rd.

Melva Lee Guilford (70) of Midland City- Shooting into Unoccupied Vehicle and Domestic Violence 3rd

Details on Increased Police Activity on North Side of Dothan

On June 3, 2026, the Dothan Police Department received information from Lowndes County, Alabama about a subject wanted for murder in their jurisdiction that was possibly in Dothan along with a vehicle description.  After lunch, the vehicle was located at Dothan Pavilion, and a traffic stop was conducted.  Unfortunately, the subject sought was not in the vehicle.

Information was received that the subject was in an apartment on Mance Newton Road.  The Dothan Police Department Special Response Team was called to assist Dale County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshal Service with apprehension.  The subject, Quintau Savage, was taken into custody without incident.  Any further inquiries should be directed to one of those agencies.

Additional School Employees Arrested During Investigation

(DOTHAN, Ala) As the investigation continues into allegations against Johnny Mark Dunaway, a former Jerry Lee Faine elementary teacher, investigators continue to process evidence and conduct interviews. As a result of the ongoing investigation, charges have now been filed against two school employees who received the complaints against Dunaway. Bertha Nicole Guilford, Title-IX Coordinator for Dothan City Schools and Sophia Lanette Hedrington, the interim principal at the time, have each been charged with one count of failure to comply with Alabama’s Mandatory Reporting law. Both individuals surrendered themselves to the Houston County jail where they were booked and released on a $1,000.00 bond each. This continues to be an ongoing and active investigation.

Bertha Nichole Guilford (44) of Dothan- Failure to Comply with Alabama Mandatory Reporting Law, $1,000 bond
Sophia Lanette Hedrington (43) of Ozark- Failure to Comply with Alabama Mandatory Reporting Law, $1,000 bond.
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