Trio of 17-year-olds will be charged as adults in recent shootings
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Atmore police have now arrested five people, including two who are of legal age and three who will be charged as if they were, in connection with the recent shootings that took place May 7 at the junction of North Main and Howard streets, and on April 26 at a residence on East School Street.
All those arrested, including three 17-year-olds, have been charged in the Main-at-Howard shooting, where dozens of shell casings were recovered by police on the property of a nearby business. Two of the juveniles have also been charged in the School Street incident.
None of the bullets hit their intended target in either instance.
The adults arrested in the Main-Howard shooting are:
*Dexter Adams, 18. Adams remained in the county jail Tuesday, May 20, under $1 million bond. He is charged with one count each of attempted murder, being a certain person forbidden to possess a firearm, attempting to elude police, and receiving or possessing stolen property.
*Ryeheem Edward Banks, 21, of Atmore. Banks is charged with one count each of attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and discharging a firearm into an unoccupied building.
*Jaylen Webb, 17. Webb’s name was released in court papers before his file was closed and turned over to juvenile authorities. Police have recommended that he be charged as an adult with one count each of attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle and discharging a firearm into an unoccupied building. He is also charged with attempted murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied building in connection with the incident on School Street.
*An unidentified juvenile, 17, is charged with one count each of attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling, and discharging a firearm into an unoccupied building, all in connection to the Main-at-Howard shooting. He will be charged as an adult.
*A third juvenile, also 17, surrendered to police when he was informed they were looking for him. He will be charged as an adult with one count each of attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and discharging a firearm into an unoccupied building in connection with the May 7 incident, and with six counts of attempted murder and one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling in connection with the School Street shooting.
The arrestees and others reportedly waited on the grounds of Backyard Barns, about 20 yards south of the junction until their intended target approached the traffic light. They then fired at least 47 times with at least two different weapons, hitting the vehicle with several shots and sending one bullet through the glass of a nearby fast-food restaurant. The business was closed, and nobody was inside, police said.
According to the APD Facebook post, “more people” are being sought in connection with the shootings. These people will be arrested if they are found within the city, police said.
“It’s an ongoing investigation,” APD Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Anyone with information that could help expedite the location and arrest of other suspects is urged to call city police at 251-368-9141, extension 1168.