Teens jailed in shooting; 2 others sought
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Atmore police have arrested an 18-year-old Atmore man and a 17-year-old juvenile they plan to charge as an adult in connection to the Wednesday, May 7, shooting at the junction of North Main and Howard streets. The juvenile is also charged with firing several shots into an East School Street residence in late April.
Dexter Adams, 18, was taken into custody Sunday, May 11, after a brief attempt to elude police on foot. The juvenile was arrested last week, and police are still looking for two suspects in the shooting, which left 47 shell casings on the grounds of a local business but did not cause any injuries.
Adams was spotted by a city patrol officer and ran when the policeman got out of his vehicle to question him. As he fled, Adams pulled what was later determined to be a stolen weapon and tossed it under a shed. He was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit, and the gun was recovered.
He remained in the Escambia County Detention Center early Tuesday, May 13, charged with one count each of attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, discharging a firearm into an unoccupied dwelling, possession of stolen property and attempting to elude law enforcement officers.
Adams reportedly had a pack of cigarettes or cigars on his person and was also issued a citation for being a minor in possession of a tobacco product.
The 17-year-old’s name has not yet been released, although Atmore police investigators have suggested to District Attorney Steve Billy’s office he be charged as an adult. The teen was jailed on one count each of attempted murder (a Class A felony) and two Class C felonies — discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle and discharging a firearm into an unoccupied building.
Police Chief Chuck Brooks said a final determination would be made after the DA has consulted with juvenile authorities, who must issue an “order of transfer” in order to have proceedings moved from juvenile court to adult court.
“We have to wait until he is adjudicated an adult,” Brooks said. “He has the right to due process.”
Police reports show the duo, along with a second adult and another juvenile, fired nearly four dozen shots from two separate weapons at a vehicle that was approaching the traffic light at the junction of the two streets. Apparently, none of the shots hit their intended target.
Brooks said arrest warrants have been obtained for the other two suspects.
The gang of shooters was reportedly on the property of Backyard Barns, just a few yards south of the traffic light, when they opened fire around 10:30 p.m. The Wing & Burger Box restaurant was also struck by flying lead but damage was minimal. The business was closed, and no injuries were reported.
Police have not released a possible motive for the shooting.
The same 17-year-old was also charged for his part in an April 26 incident during which several shots were fired into a residence in the 300 block of East School Street. The house and a vehicle in its yard were hit by bullets, but nobody was injured.
The teen has been charged with attempted murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling with regard to that shooting.
Brooks said police have also identified the other two suspects — both juveniles — in that incident and have secured warrants for the arrest of each.