rickey@rickeystokesnews.com

Text Rickey: 334-790-1729

UPDATED @ 2:52 PM    10:45 AM.   Truck Wreck Turns Into Firearm Death

UPDATED @ 2:52 PM 10:45 AM. Truck Wreck Turns Into Firearm Death

DOTHAN:    09:55 AM.   Dothan 911 dispatched a motor vehicle accident in the 2700 block of Ross Clark Circle. In the Double Tree parking lot.

On arrival Dothan Police found a male subject who received a gunshot wound and is deceased. A black male is reported to have fled on foot.

A complete examination has not been done to determine for sure gunshot wound.  Investigators have to make sure all documented before moving body.

Dothan Fire and Pilcher Ambulance on the scene along with multiple Dothan Police Officers and Criminal Investigators. Dothan Police Chief Will Benny and Dothan Police Major Will Glover are on the scene.

K-9 Track teams and WASP ( Wiregrass Aviation Support ) are in the air and on land searching for suspect.

Anyone with information call Dothan Police, 334-793-0215.

UPDATED @ 12:02 PM

it has been confirmed this is a murder.

UPDATED @ 2:08 PM

The suspect has been taken into custody at Stonewood and Fortner Street. The suspect has been transported to Dothan Police Criminal Investigation Division.

RSN does know the name of the victim and family has probably been notified. However until I can get up with Houston County Coroner Robert Byrd to confirm family notification RSN is going to withold name.

UPDATED @ 2:52 PM    

Dothan Police Patrol Officers spread out in the area searching for suspect. The patrol officers also searched for anyone who might have video of anyone running.

Dothan Police questioned and detained two suspects at Bojangle’s. A Dothan Police Patrol Officer spotted a suspect at Stonewood and Fortner Street. In minutes multiple officers were on the scene with him. The suspect was transported to Dothan Police Criminal Investigation Division. Dothan Police Chief Will Benny and Dothan Police Major Will Glover have been on the scene and Dothan Police headquarters very much involved in the investigation.

No suspect names have been released at this time.

 

     

           

     

 

9:19 AM    Geneva High School Student to Appear on American Idol

9:19 AM Geneva High School Student to Appear on American Idol

DOTHAN | RICKEY STOKES NEWS

One of the Wiregrass’s own is set to take the national stage.

Geneva High School student Kiera Howell will appear on an upcoming episode of the hit singing competition show American Idol.

Howell announced that her audition will air during Episode 3, scheduled for February 9.

She shared the news and her excitement in a post on social media.

“MY AUDITION AIRS FEBRUARY 9th!!!! Episode 3!!!! This is the craziest thing ever and I can’t wait to share it with everyone,” Howell wrote.

Family, friends, and supporters across the Wiregrass are expected to tune in as Howell represents Geneva High School on the national stage.

07:39 AM      Structure Fire – North Range St. – Dothan

07:39 AM Structure Fire – North Range St. – Dothan

DOTHAN:      07:35 AM     Dothan 911 dispatched to a structure fire at 456 North Range Street, smoke is reported to be coming from residence.

07:39 AM      Battalion Chief Harrison on the scene. Reports single story residence, light smoke visible, offensisve mode on attack of fire.

07:39 AM      Dothan 911 reports no utilities at residence.

07:41 AM      Dothan Fire Engine Company 5 ( Eastside ) on the scene.Making entry into residence.

07:41 AM      Dothan Fire Engine Company 10 ( West Main Street ) on the scene.

07:41 AM     Dothan Fire Engine Company 4 ( Southside ) arriving, at fire hydrant.

07:42 AM     Interrior Fire Attack crew reports a coffee can with wood chips inside, no fire.

07:45 AM    All Dothan Fire Engine Companies are returning to service. NO STRUCTURE FIRE. Pilcher Ambulance also returns to service from fire.

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07:33 AM     Dothan Fire Engine Company 1 ( Central ) and Pilcher Ambulance on medical emergency on Dusy Street.

07:35 AM     Dothan Fire Engine Company 9 ( Technology Drive ) and Pilcher Ambulance on medical emergency on N. Cherry Street.

07:45 AM    Dothan Fire Engine Company 2 ( South Park ) and Pilcher Ambulance on medical emergency, Alabaster Bay on Highway 231 South.

12:37 PM    MAN ARRESTED IN LEE COUNTY AFTER RUNNING OVER 2 PEDESTRIANS-

12:37 PM MAN ARRESTED IN LEE COUNTY AFTER RUNNING OVER 2 PEDESTRIANS-

Smith’s Station, AL | RICKEY STOKES NEWS

A Lee County man is in jail facing multiple charges after two teenagers were struck by a vehicle on a busy road in Smiths Station late Tuesday, authorities confirmed.

According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement representatives, James Gabberd was taken into custody and booked into the Lee County Jail after the incident, which was captured on video obtained by local news outlets.

Footage shows a silver Chrysler 300 traveling eastbound as it crosses into the westbound lane and strikes two pedestrians walking along the road. One of the victims can be seen attempting to signal the driver to stop before the vehicle reverses and accelerates away from the scene.

Emergency personnel responded, and one of the teenagers was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. The other teen declined medical transport at the scene, according to investigators.

After the hit-and-run, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency troopers, the Phenix City Police Department, and the Russell County Sheriff’s Office located Gabberd and the vehicle at an address on 13th Street in downtown Phenix City.

Gabberd was arrested and booked into the Lee County Jail on the following charges:

  • Leaving the Scene of an Accident

  • Driving While Suspended

  • Improper Passing on the Right

  • DUI — Controlled Substance

  • Failure to Appear on Theft of Property (3rd Degree)

Lee County Jail records show Gabberd’s bond was set at $13,300 in connection with the charges.

⚠️ GRAPHIC VIDEO — Viewer Discretion Advised ⚠️

 

11:22 AM   Fire In Enterprise At Petting Zoo – Reports Some Animals Did Not Survive

11:22 AM Fire In Enterprise At Petting Zoo – Reports Some Animals Did Not Survive

ENTERPRISE:     This morning a fire broke out at a petting zoo.  Two BY Two Petting Zoo is a division of Whigham Farms and is conveniently located just 3 miles from Downtown Enterprise,AL.   The petting zoo gives the opportunity to learn about farm animals and “feathered friends”.  This is a walk-thru indoor exhibit.

This morning fire broke out at the petting zoo. Enterprise Fire responded and possibly other departments. Via TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729, RSN has been told some animals lost their life in the fire.

 

9:45 AM   Judge Declares Mistrial in 2007 Dothan Murder Case

9:45 AM Judge Declares Mistrial in 2007 Dothan Murder Case

DOTHAN | RICKEY STOKES NEWS

A mistrial was declared Thursday morning in the murder trial of Jessie Jerome Swain, one of three men accused in the 2007 killing of Dothan businessman Perry Griffin.

The mistrial followed testimony Wednesday from a police investigator who mentioned a suspect not formally charged in the case. Defense attorney Arthur Medley argued the statement prevented Swain from receiving a fair trial.

John Steensland, a Houston County Circuit Judge, agreed and granted the mistrial. A retrial has been scheduled for March, canceling the remainder of the two-day trial planned for this week.

Griffin was killed in 2007, but the case later went cold. In 2020, investigators announced arrests after developing new evidence, charging Swain along with Kevin Thornton. Kedrick Fitzgerald Bryant has been named as a suspect but has not been formally charged.

Thornton pleaded guilty on December 17 to a reduced misdemeanor charge of criminally negligent homicide as part of a plea agreement that included testifying against his alleged co-defendants. He was expected to testify this week before the mistrial was declared.

Authorities say Bryant is currently serving a lengthy sentence in an Alabama prison and will be charged upon his release.

Investigators say Griffin was preparing to leave Panhandle Converter in the early morning hours to purchase supplies and was carrying a large amount of cash, as he routinely did. Evidence indicated the suspects may have planned to restrain Griffin and move him to another location.

Authorities believe Griffin resisted, leading to a struggle during which a gun was fired, killing him. Approximately $35,000 was reported stolen. Two of the suspects arrested were employees of the now-defunct Dothan business.