APD chief: ‘Senseless acts’ won’t be tolerated
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Atmore police have still not reported an arrest in the shooting that took place last Wednesday night (January 25) at a municipal park, but Police Chief Chuck Brooks said his department will not let up in its investigation into the “senseless” incident.
“This was a senseless act of violence that will not be tolerated,” Brooks said this week of the gunfire that erupted at Westside Park. “We don’t have a timetable for an arrest, but at this time we are actively investigating the case, trying to piece together some things.”
No injuries were reported in the incident, but a residence across U.S. 31 from the park, along with a vehicle parked in its yard, were reportedly hit by flying bullets.
APD Sgt. Darrell McMann said officers were sent to the park, just off Wilson Avenue, around 7:35 p.m., in reference to a “shots fired” report.
Police found several spent shell casings of an undisclosed caliber in the street and grass around the park, indicating that numerous shots were fired in the area near the park’s basketball goals.
“It wasn’t at the basketball court, but it was in relatively close proximity,” said Brooks, noting that the park is small in area, especially when compared to city recreational areas like Tom Byrne Park or Houston Avery Park.
While police were processing the shooting scene, an agent from a local bonding company arrived and reportedly gave them the name of a possible suspect.
Police searched areas along Col. Farris Drive, Wilson Avenue and Highland Avenue for the named suspect, although the number of shell casings they located indicates that more than one person might have been shooting.
Brooks said the site of the incident makes it even more important that APD detectives get to the bottom of things as soon as possible.
“That park is there to provide entertainment to our citizens, not for people to gang up and commit criminal acts,” he said.
Anyone with information that might help lead to the capture of the individuals (or individual) responsible for the gunplay is urged to call city police at 251-368-9141.