Dothan investigators find new evidence in Rip Hewes Stadium shooting

Dothan investigators believe a bullet fired in the air from Kornegay Street was the likely cause of a young girl’s gunshot wound at Rip Hewes Stadium Friday night.

“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,” reads a recent release from the Dothan Police Department. “Charges for the shooting are pending until testing can be done to match the firearm located with the bullet recovered from the scene.”

On Oct. 18, Dothan police working security for a high school football game were flagged down by a citizen who said a child had suffered a gunshot wound in a vehicle, according to the release. The vehicle was in the parking lot and officers responded to render emergency aid for minor swelling on the girl’s head from being struck by the bullet. She was then transported to a local hospital as a precaution and 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, the release says. Officers located shell casings in the roadway, then contacted residents of the house. Police secured the house and got a search warrant to look 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.

“Firing a bullet into the air is a careless and dangerous act that is against the law,” said Dothan Police Lieutenant Scott Owens in the release. “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.”