On Saturday, May 20, 2023, at approximately 3:45 PM, officers responded to a firearm assault in the parking lot of 1000 South Edgewood Drive, Azalea Apartments. Officers located a male victim who sustained a gunshot wound to the upper torso. The victim was transported to a local hospital and treated for a non-life-threatening injury. After conducting several interviews and processing evidence, it was determined the suspect is a juvenile under the age of 18. The suspect is currently being sought and charges are pending. This is an isolated incident that appears to be the result of an ongoing altercation between several individuals. Due to the Alabama juvenile privacy laws and the nature of this case, no further information will be available.
Firearm Assault Leads to Other Arrest
On Sunday night, May 14, 2023, at approximately 9:45 PM, the Dothan Police Department responded to a firearm assault in the 3300 block of Denton Road. When officers arrived, they were confronted by a large crowd of people who were disorderly and non-compliant. While attempting to calm the scene, officers were able to confirm one person had been shot in the leg. While administering aide to the gunshot victim and removing him from the chaotic scene, other individuals became disorderly and non-compliant with officer’s orders.
While attempting to determine who the suspect of the shooting was, one individual, later identified as James Ward Jr., attempted to gain physical control of an officer’s duty weapon. After regaining control of his weapon, officers attempted to place Ward in custody and other individuals attempted to prevent them from doing so.
The victim of the firearm assault was transported to a local hospital where he received treatment for his non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The details surrounding the shooting are still being investigated.
James Ward Jr., 55 years old of Headland, AL, was charged with one count of Disarming a Law Enforcement Officer. His bond was set at $10,000.00.
Cameron Mar’Tese Rodgers, 20 years old of Dothan, was charged with one count of Obstructing Governmental Operation. His bond was set at $500.00.
Another individual has a pending charge of Resisting Arrest.
Dothan Man Found Murdered in his Backyard
On Friday Morning, April 14, 2023, at approximately 5:54 AM, the Dothan Police Department was notified about an unknown individual in the pool of a backyard on Redwood Avenue in Dothan. The homeowners did not know the individual. Officers arrived and found Blake Thomas Evans on the homeowner’s property with no explanation as to why he was there. Officers determined Evans was under the influence of an unknown substance and subsequently arrested him for public intoxication. During this encounter, officers determined Evans lived at 701 Langley Drive, Apartment 2.
At approximately 6:35 AM, the Dothan Police Department was notified that neighbors had found an individual lying face down in the back yard of 701 Langley Drive, Apartment 2. When officers arrived, they discovered the victim was deceased from multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso. The victim, who also lived at this location, has been identified as 71 year-old Kenneth Bruce.
It was determined Bruce and Evans were roommates. During the early morning hours, the two had an argument about an unknown matter. During the argument, Evans retrieved a handgun that was kept in the apartment and shot Bruce multiple times before fleeing the residence.
Blake Thomas Evans, 33 years old of Dothan, has now been charged with Murder for the death of Kenneth Bruce. His bond for the Murder charge has been set at $1.5 Million. Evans was currently out on bond for an incident that took place in December of 2022 in which he was charged with Domestic Violence First Degree, Domestic Violence Strangulation and Assault Second Degree.
Third Person Arrested for the Murder at Pearl Lounge and Grill
On Monday afternoon, April 10, 2023, a third suspect, Dekeivon O’Keith Lawton, wanted for the murder that occurred at Pearl Lounge and Grill on March 30, 2023, was taken into custody. Lawton showed up at his bondsman’s office to make a payment on an unrelated charge. The bondsman was aware Lawton was a suspect in the murder and attempted to take Lawton into custody when a fight ensued. At the conclusion of the fight, Lawton was taken into custody and turned over to the Dothan Police Department.
Dekeivon O’Keith Lawton, 22 years-old of Dothan, was charged with one count of Murder. His bond was set at $1.5 Million.
One Suspect Charged in Drive-By Shooting
During the early morning hours of Saturday, April 8, 2023, Dothan Police officers responded to shots fired into a residence in the 900 block of Mercury Drive. When officers arrived, they discovered several bullet holes in the residence and located a gunshot victim inside. The victim had been shot in both legs while lying in the bed asleep. Officers began providing medical aid to the victim until Dothan Fire and Rescue arrived and took over treatment. It was reported that a vehicle slowed down in front of the residence while at least two individuals fired multiple shots at the residence from the vehicle.
After collecting evidence and talking with witnesses, officers located what they believed was the suspect vehicle in the driveway of a residence in the 2000 block of Lake Street. After conducting a search of the vehicle and residence, it was determined that was in fact the vehicle used during the drive-by shooting. One weapon believed to have been used during the drive-by shooting was also recovered. The driver of the vehicle at the time of the drive-by shooting was identified as Zykeith Jaheim Wimbley who was also present at the time of the search.
Zykeith Jaheim Wimbley, 21 years-old of Dothan, was charged with one count of Assault First Degree and one count of Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Dwelling. His bond was set at $60,000.00.
One Person Shot Inside Store
On Saturday, April 8, 2023, at approximately 3:00 PM, the Dothan Police Department was notified of a firearm assault that had occurred inside the Family Dollar located at 1061 South Oates Street. Officers arrived and found one victim with one gunshot to the upper torso and one to the arm. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries. This was an isolated incident that did not involve the business. All persons involved have been identified by law enforcement. This is an ongoing investigation that remains pending.
UPDATE: Two Arrested for the Murder at Pearl Lounge and Grill
UPDATE: As a result of the ongoing investigation, the Dothan Police Department has made two arrests for the Murder that took place in the parking lot of Pearl Lounge and Grill located at 2855 Ross Clark Circle on Thursday, March 30, 2023.
Thus far we have learned a verbal altercation took place inside the Lounge which turned physical. The victim, 51 year-old Roger Shane Felder, acted as a Good Samaritan and attempted to de-escalated the altercation. Individuals involved in the altercation were then made to leave the establishment by employees. Once outside, some form of the altercation continued during which time Felder was fatally shot.
Charged with the murder of Felder are: 29 year-old Raheem Anthony Powe of Abbeville, and 27 year-old Nakia Kentae Thompson of Dothan. Both individuals have been charged with one count of Murder each. Their bond has been set at $1.5 Million each.
This investigation is still ongoing, and we are still attempting to located additional persons of interest to attempt to gain additional information. It is unknown at this time if additional arrest will be made or not.
Man Murdered in the Parking Lot of Pearl Lounge and Grill
On Thursday, March 30, 2023, at approximately 1:20 AM, Dothan Police Department was notified of a firearm assault that occurred in the parking lot of Pearl Lounge and Grill located at 2855 Ross Clark Circle. Within one minute, officers arrived on scene and found the victim lying in the parking lot. The victim sustained multiple gunshots wounds to the upper torso.
Dothan Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and began providing medical treatment to the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injury. The victim has been identified as 51 year old Roger Shane Felder of Geneva, Al.
We are in the preliminary stage of the investigation and even though we are following up on multiple leads, a suspect has not been identified at this time. Multiple people were present when this incident took place, however, majority of them left prior to speaking to officers.
We ask that anyone who may have information about this incident, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, to please contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 334-793-7000.
Man Murdered in the Parking Lot of Pearl Lounge and Grill
On Thursday, March 30, 2023, at approximately 1:20 AM, Dothan Police Department was notified of a firearm assault that occurred in the parking lot of Pearl Lounge and Grill located at 2855 Ross Clark Circle. Within one minute, officers arrived on scene and found the victim lying in the parking lot. The victim sustained multiple gunshots wounds to the upper torso.
Dothan Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and began providing medical treatment to the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injury. The victim has been identified as 51 year old Roger Shane Felder of Geneva, Al.
We are in the preliminary stage of the investigation and even though we are following up on multiple leads, a suspect has not been identified at this time. Multiple people were present when this incident took place, however, majority of them left prior to speaking to officers.
We ask that anyone who may have information about this incident, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, to please contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 334-793-7000.
Shots fired call leads to three arrests
On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at approximately 5:20 p.m., Dothan Communications received a call for gunshots fired in the area of South Alice Street and West Selma Street. Multiple patrol officers were dispatched to the area where they began to canvass the area. Unfortunately, no suspects were located at that time. The Dothan Police Department’s Gun Investigation Unit (GIU) responded and identified a residence in the 1600 block of South Alice Street where a fight had occurred in the yard involving multiple subjects minutes prior to the gunshots fired call.
On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, the Dothan Police Department’s Gun Investigation Unit executed a search warrant in the 1600 block of South Alice Street, where contact was made with Lashawn Shiver and Tracy Porter. During the search Investigators located four (4) handguns, three (3) high-capacity magazines, and ammunition. Investigators also located and seized synthetic marijuana, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. While on scene, Desmond Griffin arrived and began interfering with investigators. After numerous commands to leave the scene, and failing to do so, Griffin was placed under arrest of Obstructing Governmental Operations.
Lashawn Shiver, 43-years-old of Dothan was arrested for active warrants with Houston County Sheriff’s Office to include Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance. Mr. Shiver has the charge of Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Firearm pending. Tracy Porter, 53-year-old of Dothan was arrested for Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Obstructing Governmental Operations. Desmond Griffin, 32-years-old of Dothan was charged with Obstructing Governmental Operations. The case is still under investigation and more charges are forthcoming.
The Dothan Police Department fully supports the Second Amendment and the Constitutional Carry Laws of the State of Alabama. However, when a person or people decide to disregard the safety of children across the street, at a school, playground, or any place of recreation we will take every action and use every resource available to us to bring those responsible to justice. The City of Dothan and its Police Department will not sit by and let this type of behavior go unchecked.
William E. Benny
Chief of Police
Weekend shooting wounds three, one is in custody
On March 4, 2023 the Dothan Police Department responded to reports of an Assault in the 3000 block of Ross Clark Circle. Upon arrival officers found three victims had been shot with a firearm. Investigators responded to the scene and were able to identify the shooter, Antinio Zy’Keith Turner of Dothan. At this time, Turner has been arrested for three counts of Assault I. He is currently being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond. Victims were treated at area hospitals, and their injuries are not life threatening.
You must be logged in to post a comment.