DOTHAN | RICKEY STOKES NEWS
A Dothan man connected to two separate shooting incidents in the city over the past week has been arrested, according to the Dothan Police Department.
On Wednesday, investigators located Romello Tajeh Cox, 20, entering an apartment in the 600 block of North Lena Street. Cox had already been identified as a person of interest and was wanted in connection with the shootings.
After backup was called, law enforcement surrounded the residence. Cox and another individual, Kahlesha Mesha Cooper-Smith, 21, exited the apartment and were taken into custody without incident.
Police later obtained a search warrant after receiving information that others may still be inside the apartment with access to firearms. No additional occupants were found, but officers recovered two firearms, including one that was confirmed stolen.
Cox now faces multiple charges related to two separate shooting incidents.
• February 12: Two counts of Shooting into an Occupied Dwelling and one count of First-Degree Attempted Assault after shots were fired near the 1000 block of Lake Street, striking two apartments — one occupied by a woman and a small child.
• February 16: Three counts of Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle and two counts of Shooting into an Unoccupied Dwelling following a shooting in the 800 block of East Selma Street, where multiple vehicles and vacant homes were struck.
Cooper-Smith was charged separately with Second-Degree Receiving Stolen Property in connection with the stolen firearm.
“Dangerous acts involving firearms are unacceptable in the City of Dothan,” said Dothan Police Chief William E. Benny. “If you use a gun in the commission of a violent crime, you can expect to be prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law.”
