Tag: homicide

On Friday Morning, April 14, 2023, at approximately 5:54 AM, the Dothan Police Department was notified about an unknown individual in the pool of a backyard on Redwood Avenue in Dothan. The homeowners did not know the individual. Officers arrived and found Blake Thomas Evans on the homeowner’s property with no explanation as to why he was there. Officers determined Evans was under the influence of an unknown substance and subsequently arrested him for public intoxication. During this encounter, officers determined Evans lived at 701 Langley Drive, Apartment 2.

At approximately 6:35 AM, the Dothan Police Department was notified that neighbors had found an individual lying face down in the back yard of 701 Langley Drive, Apartment 2. When officers arrived, they discovered the victim was deceased from multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso. The victim, who also lived at this location, has been identified as 71 year-old Kenneth Bruce.

It was determined Bruce and Evans were roommates. During the early morning hours, the two had an argument about an unknown matter. During the argument, Evans retrieved a handgun that was kept in the apartment and shot Bruce multiple times before fleeing the residence.

Blake Thomas Evans, 33 years old of Dothan, has now been charged with Murder for the death of Kenneth Bruce. His bond for the Murder charge has been set at $1.5 Million. Evans was currently out on bond for an incident that took place in December of 2022 in which he was charged with Domestic Violence First Degree, Domestic Violence Strangulation and Assault Second Degree.

 

On Monday afternoon, April 10, 2023, a third suspect, Dekeivon O’Keith Lawton, wanted for the murder that occurred at Pearl Lounge and Grill on March 30, 2023, was taken into custody. Lawton showed up at his bondsman’s office to make a payment on an unrelated charge. The bondsman was aware Lawton was a suspect in the murder and attempted to take Lawton into custody when a fight ensued. At the conclusion of the fight, Lawton was taken into custody and turned over to the Dothan Police Department.

Dekeivon O’Keith Lawton, 22 years-old of Dothan, was charged with one count of Murder. His bond was set at $1.5 Million.

UPDATE:  As a result of the ongoing investigation, the Dothan Police Department has made two arrests for the Murder that took place in the parking lot of Pearl Lounge and Grill located at 2855 Ross Clark Circle on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

Thus far we have learned a verbal altercation took place inside the Lounge which turned physical. The victim, 51 year-old Roger Shane Felder, acted as a Good Samaritan and attempted to de-escalated the altercation.  Individuals involved in the altercation were then made to leave the establishment by employees. Once outside, some form of the altercation continued during which time Felder was fatally shot.

Charged with the murder of Felder are:  29 year-old Raheem Anthony Powe of Abbeville, and 27 year-old Nakia Kentae Thompson of Dothan. Both individuals have been charged with one count of Murder each. Their bond has been set at $1.5 Million each.

This investigation is still ongoing, and we are still attempting to located additional persons of interest to attempt to gain additional information. It is unknown at this time if additional arrest will be made or not.

 

Man Murdered in the Parking Lot of Pearl Lounge and Grill

On Thursday, March 30, 2023, at approximately 1:20 AM, Dothan Police Department was notified of a firearm assault that occurred in the parking lot of Pearl Lounge and Grill located at 2855 Ross Clark Circle. Within one minute, officers arrived on scene and found the victim lying in the parking lot. The victim sustained multiple gunshots wounds to the upper torso.

Dothan Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and began providing medical treatment to the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injury. The victim has been identified as 51 year old Roger Shane Felder of Geneva, Al.

We are in the preliminary stage of the investigation and even though we are following up on multiple leads, a suspect has not been identified at this time. Multiple people were present when this incident took place, however, majority of them left prior to speaking to officers.

We ask that anyone who may have information about this incident, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, to please contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 334-793-7000.

The Dothan Police Department has been investigating a murder that occurred on November 9, 2022, in which Samuel Jeffery Gray was shot and killed.  Earlier, the Dothan Police Department arrested Kevone Devontay Smith for his involvement in this incident.

On Thursday, February 9, 2023, the Dothan Police Department, with the assistance of Headland Police Department, located another person of interest in this case, Mia Aliyah Creech. Not only was Creech a person of interest for this incident, but she also had outstanding warrants for Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling and Criminal Mischief First Degree which occurred in September of 2022.

As a result of the ongoing November 2022 Murder investigation, 24 year-old Mia Aliyah Creech of Dothan, has now been charged with one count of Murder.  Her total bond for all charges was set at $190,000.00. At this time, no additional arrests are expected in this case.

We would like to thank the Headland Police Department for their assistance in locating and apprehending Creech.