By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Area authorities continued at Tuesday’s press deadline to search for a Bay Minette man with a violent criminal past who is suspected of the “targeted” fatal shooting of an Atmore man at a house party in that city last Friday night, May 23.
According to a press release issued by Bay Minette Police Department (BMPD) officials, 28-year-old Decareus Keywon Mallory Andrews is being sought on a murder charge after he fired several shots with a handgun into 21-year-old Dyrontae Condarlly Booker, around 10:20 p.m.
Booker was taken by ambulance to North Baldwin Infirmary, where he was later officially pronounced dead.
Police said the shooting was not a random act, that Andrews and Booker knew each other. They believe Andrews went to the party to find Booker, with the intent to shoot him over some undisclosed difference.
Reports show that a BMPD officer on patrol heard gunfire in the 900 block of Daphne Street, just off U.S. 31 and southwest of William F. Greene Veterans Home and raced to the scene.
As the policeman arrived, he saw a man, later identified as Andrews, running away and another, Booker, lying apparently lifeless in the yard of the residence, where a birthday party had been going on for several hours. The officer chased the suspect on foot for several blocks before losing him.
Police warned that Andrews is considered “armed and dangerous” and that no attempt should be made to confront him.
Instead, anyone with information that could help police find the murder suspect, or with other information pertinent to the shooting, is urged to either call 251-580-2559 or send an anonymous email to tips@ci.bay-minette.al.us.