PHOTOS ABOVE: Five suspects all charged with attempted murder are now in custody. Clockwise, from left left, are Andrew Williams ($250,000 bond), Chandler Scott Falks ($50,000 bond), Devin Buckhannon ($250,000 bond), Hanna Elizabeth Qualls ($50,000 bond) and Melvin Tekail Barris ($50,000 bond).
BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Five people are in custody awaiting formal charges after an overnight shooting near Wetumpka left one man with critical injuries and run over by a vehicle.
Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin has so far identified the victim as Jacob Gillean who is in critical but stable condition at UAB. The identities of others in custody have not been released, Franklin said, as the court magistrate is working on exact charges. Their identities and mugshots will be forthcoming when available.
The events surrounding the shooting are still being investigated, but the Sheriff said it was a disagreement over a woman.
“After the shooting we had four of the people in the shooter’s vehicle (all men) in custody, but were searching for the fifth person, a woman,” Franklin said. “But we have her now.”
In Custody and Charged with Attempted Murder are: Suspected shooter Andrew Williams., Chandler Scott Falks, Devin Buckhannon, Hanna Elizabeth Qualls.
It began around 12:40 a.m. Wednesday when deputies responded to a shots fired call on Williams Road, about two miles north of Wetumpka.
A car with five people drove over to a residence in the 2600 block of Williams because they were going to discuss the disagreement Franklin said. But when they arrived, seven to eight people came out of the residence. Feeling they were outnumbered, Franklin said the smaller group got back into the vehicle and were leaving the scene.
Before that occurred the driver allegedly fired at least 10 rounds, striking Gillean multiple times.
“We are unable to say exactly how many hit Gillean at this time. The reason is Mr. Gillean was also run over by the Kia Sport. Gillean suffered crushed pelvis and broken left arm. Several of his injuries looked like abrasions and pock marks as well,” Franklin said.
An obvious injury was a bullet that entered just above Gillean’s left eye, followed the skull and exited from the top of his head.
The suspect vehicle then fled the scene, and the suspects scattered across the county, Franklin said. Deputies spent the overnight hours rounding them up.
Deputies, and Haynes Ambulance crew members arrived, and Gillean was transported by ambulance to UAB.
“We are waiting the charges and the bond amounts on these five people,” Franklin said. “Gillean is extremely lucky to be alive.”
This is an ongoing investigation. If anyone has information that could help detectives, they are urged to call the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office.
