October 2024 – Dothan Police Department

October 31, 2024

Arrest Made in Rip Hewes Shooting from October 18th Football Game

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On October 31, 2024, Dothan Police Investigators arrested Walter Cummings Jr. (36) of Dothan for one count of Assault 1^st degree and one count of Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle. Cummings’ arrest comes as a result of an investigation into the shooting of a young juvenile, under the age of 12, at Rip Hewes Stadium on October 18, 2024. Cummings was placed in the Houston County Jail, and his bond has been set at $60,000.

On October 18, 2024, Dothan Police Officers working security for a high school football game at Rip Hewes Stadium were flagged down by a citizen who said a child had suffered a gunshot wound in a vehicle. The vehicle was in the parking lot and officers responded to render emergency aid. The juvenile had minor swelling on the head from being struck by the bullet. Police learned that shots were fired after an altercation occurred in the 400 block of Kornegay Street moments before the juvenile was struck with the bullet. Officers responded to the area and located shell casings in the roadway. During a search warrant of the residence on Kornegay Street, Officers found a firearm that was the same caliber ammunition found at the stadium.

Due to the angle of the bullet entering the vehicle from the roof and the extent of the injuries to the victim believed to be from a low velocity bullet, investigators believe it was likely fired in the air from Kornegay Street and landed where the victim was sitting. The rifle found on Kornegay Street and the projectile found at Rip Hewes Stadium were sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for ballistics testing. Today, Investigators were informed the bullet was a match and came from the rifle recovered on Kornegay Street. After an interview with Cummings, he admitted he was the person who fired the shots on Kornegay Street.

Firing a bullet into the air is a careless and dangerous act that is against the law. Offenders caught committing such an act will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Walter Lee Cummings Jr. (36) of Dothan- Assault 1st degree and Shooting into Occupied Vehicle, $60,000 bond

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October 28, 2024

False Reporting leads to Swatting Charge

During the early morning hours of Saturday, October 26, 2024, the Dothan Police Department received a call reporting an edge weapon assault in the 400 block of East Powell Street. Officers were unable to locate a victim or the person reporting. It was determined this was a false report of an incident and all emergency personnel were cancelled. Using various investigative leads, officers were able to determine the identity of the caller. Just a few hours later, officers encountered the caller, and he was taken into custody and questioned. During questioning, he admitting to making the false report because he had gotten into a fight with an individual and as revenge, he wanted that person to be “harassed” as a potential victim of a stabbing.

The caller was identified as 53-year-old Keri Lashun Leake of Appletree Street, Dothan, AL. Leake was charged with one count of Felony Swatting. His bond was set at $2,500.00.

October 28, 2024October 28, 2024

Shots Fired Leads to Arrest

On Saturday, October 26, 2024, at approximately 5:50 PM, we received a report of a gunshot victim arriving at Southeast Health by personal vehicle. The adult victim had a graze wound to the cheek, which he was treated for and released. The victim stated he was driving near a neighborhood in the 2600 block of Third Avenue when he felt the bullet graze his cheek. The victim’s vehicle was found to have multiple bullet holes in it.

Within minutes of this call, we received several calls for multiple shots fired in the 100 block of Wrinn Lane. Witnesses who observed the shooter, stated he was inside a residence armed with a weapon. During this same time, it was discovered a neighboring residence had been fired into and the occupants received minor superficial wounds.

Officers, assisted by family members, were able to successfully negotiate with the suspect to exit the residence and surrender. A search warrant was executed on the residence and the weapon used in the incident was recovered.

The suspect was identified as 18-year-old Darien Maurice Anglin of Dothan. It was determined the victim was in the area of Anglin’s residence when, for unknown reasons, Anglin began firing at the victim. As the victim retreated from the area, Anglin continued to fire at him until he was out of sight. In the process, Anglin shot into a neighbor’s house.

Anglin was charged with one count of Attempted Murder, one count of Assault First degree, one count of Discharging into an Occupied Dwelling, and two counts of Discharging into an Occupied Vehicle. His total bond was set at $180,000.00.

October 23, 2024

Dothan Man Dies After Being Hit By Train

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On October 22, 2024 just before 8:00 pm, Dothan Police Officers responded to North Range Street, near the East Main Street overpass, for reports of a person down on the railroad tracks. Officers arrived on scene and found the victim, Scottie Earl Jones (64) of Dothan, on the railroad tracks with serious lower body injuries. Unfortunately, Jones was pronounced dead on arrival.

From the initial investigation, it appears Jones was attempting to go under the rail cars in an attempt to move past them while the train was in motion. Jones was pinned by the train and sustained severe injuries to his legs as well as an injury to his head. This is an ongoing investigation while investigators wait for toxicology tests to be performed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Jones’ family while they mourn for their loved one.

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October 19, 2024

News Release on Gunshot Victim from Rip Hewes Stadium

(DOTHAN, Ala.) On October 18, 2024, Dothan Police Officers working security for a high school football game at Rip Hewes Stadium were flagged down by a citizen who said a child had suffered a gunshot wound in a vehicle. The vehicle was in the parking lot and officers responded to render emergency aid. The juvenile had minor swelling on the head from being struck by the bullet. The juvenile was transported to a local hospital as a precaution. An investigation was immediately launched to find out where the bullet was fired from.

Police learned that shots were fired after an altercation occurred in the 400 block of Kornegay Street moments before the juvenile was struck with the bullet. Officers responded to the area and located shell casings in the roadway. Officers contacted residents of the house. After the residence was secured, a search warrant was obtained to search for firearms and ammunition. Investigators found a 9mm carbine and ammunition that matched those found in the roadway. Two people were arrested for charges unrelated to the Rip Hewes shooting until forensic testing can be completed.

Due to the angle of the bullet entering the vehicle from the roof and the extent of the injuries to the victim believed to be from a low velocity bullet, investigators believe it is likely the bullet was fired in the air from Kornegay Street and landed where the victim was sitting. Charges for the shooting are pending until testing can be done to match the firearm located with the bullet recovered from the scene.

Firing a bullet into the air is a careless and dangerous act that is against the law. Offenders caught committing such an act will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

We offer our support and thoughts to the family involved in the senseless incident last night.

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