On Tuesday November 25, 2025, Defendant Dorian Bell appeared in the Circuit Court of Coffee County, Enterprise Division, before the Honorable Henry “Sonny” Reagan for a sentencing hearing. Defendant Bell had previously entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of Manslaughter. Defendant Bell was originally charged with Murder for the May 25, 2021, killing of Amez Shipman in the 100 block of Lagoon Drive in Enterprise. The State was represented by Deputy District Attorney Mary Katherine Head.
Had the case proceeded to trial the State had intended to introduce evidence that on May 25, 2021, there was a gathering of people at a residence prior to the Enterprise High School graduation. Amez Shipman was present at the residence and both he and Defendant Bell had been drinking. Shipman and Bell had engaged in a physical altercation inside the residence that eventually continued outside. The altercation had at one point been playful in nature but then Defendant Bell produced a handgun. Witness testimony and a 911 call indicated that there were multiple gunshots with a first shot being fired some 15 or more seconds before additional shots. Amez Shipman was shot twice in the chest. After shooting Mr. Shipman, Defendant Bell fled the scene and was captured a short time later by the Enterprise Police Department. During the legal proceedings leading up to the trial setting of the case, Defendant Bell applied for immunity and after a hearing the claim was denied by Judge Reagan.
Following the presentation of testimony and evidence at the sentencing hearing, Judge Reagan sentenced Defendant Bell to 25 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections. Defendant Bell had asked the court to impose a split sentence.
District Attorney James Tarbox stated, “This tragic killing never should have happened. Regardless of whether a playful event turned into more of a fight, deadly force would never have been authorized under Alabama law in this instance. Moreover, Defendant Bell, based on his criminal history, should have never had a firearm in his possession. This case is a tragic example of what happens when people mix firearms and alcohol.”
Tarbox went on to state, “We appreciate Judge Reagan’s sentence in this case and believe it helps reinforce that gun violence and using a firearm is not the answer. The District Attorney’s Office thanks the family of Amez Shipman for their patience in waiting for this case to finally resolve after numerous continuances. We hope that this result can help close this chapter and allow the family to turn the page to more happy memories of Mr. Shipman.”
The District Attorney’s Office thanks the Enterprise Police Department, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, and the Wiregrass Angel House for their investigations and involvement in this matter.
District Attorney
12th Judicial Circuit
State of Alabama
