(DOTHAN, Ala.) On February 18, 2026, an investigator following leads on shooting incidents in Dothan spotted a suspect he knew was wanted for those shootings in the 600 block of North Lena Street. The investigator recognized the suspect, Romello Tajeh Cox (20) of Dothan, as a suspect from previous shooting. The investigator called for backup, and the residence was surrounded. After commands for those in the apartment to come out, Cox and another individual exited the residence. There was information obtained that there were more people inside the apartment with access to firearms.
The Special Response Team was activated while a search warrant was obtained for the apartment. During execution of the search warrant, SRT operators verified there were no other occupants in the apartment. Two firearms were located during the search. One firearm was confirmed stolen.
Cox was previously wanted for a shooting into an occupied dwelling that occurred on February 12th in the 1000 block of Lake Street near Martin Homes. Shots were fired at a victim that struck that apartment and another apartment in the complex. The other apartment that was struck was occupied by a female and a small child at the time of the shooting. Cox was charged with two counts of Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling and one count of Attempted Assault 1st degree relating to that shooting.
Information was also developed that Cox was responsible for a separate shooting involving the same victim on February 16th in the 800 block of East Selma Street. Cox, having seen the victim in a vehicle, fired shots at the vehicle striking that vehicle as well as two other vehicles. Gunfire also struck two unoccupied houses. Cox was also charged with three counts of Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle and two counts of Shooting into an Unoccupied Dwelling in relation to that shooting.
The other occupant of the apartment was charged with a crime in relation to the stolen firearm. The suspect, Kahlesha Mesha Cooper-Smith (21) of Dothan, was charged with one count of Receiving Stolen Property 2nd degree.
Dangerous acts involving firearms are unacceptable in the City of Dothan. If you use a gun in commission of a violent crime you can expect to be prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law. The Dothan Police Department will advocate for vigorous prosecution of these individuals in cooperation with the Houston County District Attorney’s Office. More charges are possible as investigations continue.
-Chief William E. Benny
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