Multiple shots fired at busy intersection, resulting in motorist being shot. Two Dallas County residents in police custody.
FROM THE MILLBROOK POLICE DEPARTMENT
On Monday, January 15, 2024, at approximately 3:00 PM, Millbrook police responded to the 3100 block of Highway 14 with regard to reports of multiple shots fired in the area. Responding units were advised that multiple shots were fired in the area of Highway 14 and Old Prattville Road in front River Bank and Trust. Upon arrival, officers discovered two vehicles which were reported to have been travelling westbound and had been struck multiple times by gunfire. One of the vehicle’s occupants was struck at least once by gunfire. Officers contacted a 22-year-old male, Prattville resident, who suffered a gunshot wound to his lower abdomen/groin area. The victim was treated at the scene by Millbrook paramedics and transported to an area hospital for treatment and evaluation of what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses were able to provide a description of the suspect vehicle to police communications and officers on scene, which was relayed to law enforcement agencies in neighboring jurisdictions. Shortly thereafter, Prattville police officers observed a vehicle matching that of the suspect vehicle, which was stopped at Highway 14 and I-65. Two suspects occupying said vehicle were detained and later taken into custody by Millbrook police.
Both the crime scene at Highway 14 and Old Prattville Road included two victim’s vehicles, and the suspects were turned over to detectives with the Millbrook Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit. During their preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the suspect vehicle had been observed around several businesses near Fairview Avenue and Old Farm Lane prior to being contacted by Prattville police officers. A search of the area revealed several weapons that had been discarded in a trash dumpster, which were impounded as potential evidence in this case.
The two suspects, identified as Korde’z T. Ervin, a 24-year-old Selma resident, and Latrell R. White, a 22-year-old Selma resident, were transported to the Millbrook Police Department and later charged with two counts (each) of Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle. Both individuals were processed and transported to the Elmore County Jail, where they will be held under no bond, pending warrants obtained and served.
“After being on this crime scene, observing the traffic that was present at the time of the offense and shortly thereafter, and speaking with both victim’s and officers at the scene, we are extremely fortunate that no one else was injured or killed during this incident. There was a ridiculous number of rounds fired during this incident, which would leave a reasonable person no doubt what the offenders’ intentions were.
“I want to thank the Prattville Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and our law enforcement partners in our neighboring jurisdictions for their assistance and support during this case. From the time that we received the initial call, we had witnesses, including an off-duty officer from a neighboring jurisdiction, who contacted our 911 dispatch center to report the incident. They provided an accurate description of the offender’s vehicle and kept us updated on their direction of travel and location. This enabled us to reach out to our law enforcement partners, which ultimately led to the apprehension of the offenders in this case.
“ speaking with our detectives, it appears that this was not an isolated or random incident. Apparently, the offenders, the gunshot victim and the passenger in his vehicle, who was uninjured, are acquaintances, and are allegedly at odds with each other with regard to an ongoing dispute. From my understanding, we’re not getting a lot of cooperation from one of our victims. That said, we are in the very preliminary stages of this investigation. We have more than one victim and there is a lot of evidence to be processed moving forward. These individuals are currently charged with the offenses that we feel confident in pursuing and our investigation will continue. We feel confident that additional charges against both individuals will be forthcoming.
“I want to be clear; this type of violence will not be tolerated in our city. While no city is immune from violence, Millbrook, for the most part, is fortunate in that incidents like today are not a common occurrence. When it does occur, the men and women of this department are committed to pursuing and apprehending those who commit these senseless and violent acts with utmost determination and vigilance, in order to ensure the safety of the citizens we serve. People that have no regard for the lives of others have no place on our streets and need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
