FROM POLICE CHIEF P.K. JOHNSON
MILLBROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT
On Saturday, October 16, 2021, Millbrook police responded to Prattville Baptist Hospital with regard to a subject being treated for a stab wound, which allegedly resulted during an altercation that occurred in Millbrook earlier that morning. Responding officers made contact with a female patient, later identified as Shemira M. Pernell, a 39-year-old Millbrook resident, who was being treated for a stab wound to her upper torso, which was described by hospital staff as possibly life threatening.
Ms. Pernell advised that she was stabbed during an altercation that occurred between her and an acquaintance at a residence in the 3700 block of Duncan Drive. Pernell was transported to Prattville Baptist Emergency Room by private vehicle. Hospital staff contacted Millbrook Police Department upon discovering the incident occurred in Millbrook. Pernell was treated for her injuries and later transported to Baptist South, where she remains in critical, but stable condition.
We are in the very preliminary stages of this investigation, so I am extremely limited in the information that we are able to release at this time. This case is complicated due to the fact that law enforcement was never contacted until the victim arrived at Prattville Baptist for treatment. This case has been turned over to our Criminal Investigations Unit, who have identified all of the parties that were allegedly involved in this altercation.
Statements have been taken from multiple individuals. We are aware that in addition to Ms. Pernell being injured, that her acquaintance’s husband also sustained an injury to his hand, which required medical treatment, as a result of the altercation.
Due to conflicting accounts of the circumstances and events that led to the injuries that occurred during this case, at this time it appears that the facts of this case will more than likely be presented to the Elmore County District Attorney’s Office, to be presented to the Elmore County Grand Jury, who will determine what, if any, criminal charges will be filed based on our investigation.
This is common when there is limited physical evidence and conflicting statements in these types of cases. Basically we have conflicting accounts of what transpired during this altercation and who was the initial or predominate aggressor.
I will caution that our investigators are aware of alleged threats that have been made by friends and family on both sides of this dispute, both in person and indirectly on social media. Anyone that participates in that type of retaliatory behavior will be subject to criminal charges as well.
We will continue to investigate this case, consult with the District Attorney’s Office and proceed with prosecution as the results of the Grand Jury dictates. The best thing all parties can do at this time is allow law enforcement to do their job, cooperate with our investigation and avoid retaliatory acts against other.
That won’t solve anything, but it will result in the possibility/probability of being subject to being charged with a criminal offense. This needs to be resolved in a courtroom, not on our streets. If someone would have contacted law enforcement prior to this Saturday morning incident escalating to the point that it did, this may have been avoided.
