BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
UPDATE with Press Release from Wetumpka Police. Chief Greg Benton has reported the identity of the victim as Centell Winston, 42, of Tallassee. He was found deceased in his vehicle.
“On 1/20/2022 at approximately 10:44 pm, Wetumpka Police Department officers responded to the 4500 block of U.S. Hwy 231 for shots fired. Upon arrival officers discovered a subject suffering from what appeared to be gunshot wounds. Responding medics pronounced the subject deceased at the scene. The victim was identified as 42-year-old Centell Andre Winston. The scene was turned over to the Wetumpka Criminal Investigations Division. Wetumpka C.I.D. Detectives processed the scene for evidence and are following up on several leads at this time.
We want the citizens of Wetumpka to understand, we will not rest until we bring the perpetrators responsible for this loss of life and reckless behavior to justice. While evidence suggests this was not a random act you will still notice a heavier Police presence throughout the city.
If anyone has any information regarding this case please call the Wetumpka Police Department, visit our Facebook page or contact Central Alabama Crime Stoppers.
Lt. L.D. Mann
Detective Division Commander
Wetumpka Police Department”
Original story – Around 10:44 p.m. Thursday, people in the parking lot began running into the Walmart store reporting shots were being fired outside. Wetumpka officers were dispatched, and upon arrival found one victim deceased in the parking lot.
Some who were present at the time of the shooting are praising Walmart staff for working to keep them safe, and for immediately notifying law enforcement.
Overnight Wetumpka officials issued a BOLO (Be On Look Out) for surrounding agencies regarding two vehicles that left the scene, but it is unclear if they were involved. Officers have reviewed video surveillance from the parking lot in the hopes it will lead to answers.
This marks the first murder for Wetumpka since 2016. This type of violence is rare for the community and has understandably left many rattled.
If you were a witness to this event and have not yet spoken with law enforcement, we urge you to contact Wetumpka Police Department at (334) 567-5321 and share any information you can. Also, Central Alabama CrimeStoppers is a local agency that will allow you to remain anonymous if you have tips that could lead to capturing those involved. We will continue to update with more information as it becomes available. CrimeStoppers offers a reward for information that leads to an arrest.
