ORANGE BEACH AL: Coroner’s and Deputy Coroner’s in the Wiregrass are in Orange Beach for the 2026 Training.
The Alabama Coroner’s Association’s Annual Symposium Conference is held this week, Monday through Wednesday. Alabama law requires Coroner’s and Deputy Coroner’s to have 12 hours continuing education per year.
From the Wiregrass, Dale County Coroner John Cawley, Dale County Deputy Coroner Adam Bruhn, Dale County Deputy Coroner Rickey Stokes, Coffee County Coroner Arnold Woodham, Coffee County Chief Deputy Coroner Mark Kelley and Geneva County Coroner Donny Adkinson.
The Alabama Coroner’s Association was established in 1956 in an effort to elevate the Office of Coroner in Alabama through the uniformity in the handling of dead investigations, improving education and training opportunities, and by working closely with the Alabama Legislature on related legislation.
The association works to promote the adoption of more scientific methods for the investigation of deaths, The association also works to foster good cooperation between Coroner’s and other Law Enforcement Officials.
The topics the Coroner’s are trained on are relevant topics that reflect the ever-evolving field of death investigation.
DOTHAN, Ala.) On April 12, 2026, just after 7:00 pm, the Dothan Police Department received calls about a man with a firearm threatening individuals in a nearby apartment complex. After officers spoke with witnesses, they were directed to a residence in the 100 block of East Lafayette Street. As officers tried to make contact, shots were fired from the house at the officers. Officers returned fire at the suspect, who then barricaded himself inside the residence. Officers set up a perimeter and called for the Special Response Team and Crisis Negotiators.
Negotiators attempted for more than an hour to make contact to get the subject to surrender without incident. The subject refused to surrender or respond to negotiators. During the standoff, more rounds were fired at officers on scene. The subject was shot by law enforcement on scene and was transported to a local hospital. The suspect, identified as Antonia Christopher King (45) of Dothan, was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The State Bureau of Investigation has been requested to investigate the officer-involved shooting according to state law. Any further questions should be directed to Alabama SBI.
DOTHAN: 7:30 PM. Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Police to North Saint Andrew’s Street and Lafayette Street to shots fired. This is at or bear Vaughn Towers.
As Dothan Police Patrol arrived they received reports there was a person with a gunshot wound.
A person is held up, reported barricaded inside. The subject opened fire on police.
Dothan Police and Houston County Sheriff Deputies are on the scene. Dothan Fire and Pilcher Ambulance are staged near the scene until law enforcement deems the scene safe for entry.
More details to follow.
UPDATED @ 9:46 PM.
The stand off continues. A LOT OF FACEBOOK rumors. At this time do not pay attention to the FACEBOOK rumors. No child and police were shot at, but all law enforcement officers are safe.
UPDATED @ 10:13 PM.
Dothan Fire Engine 4 ( Southside ) has been on stand by along with Pilcher Ambulance. The Battalion Chief swapped Engine 4 out with Dothan Fire Engine 1 ( Central ).
10:12 PM. Dothan Fire Engine 1 Paramedic ( Central ) and Pilcher Ambulance transported to Southeast Health a gunshot victim, trauma alert.
Dothan Police and Houston County Sheriff Deputies have done a good job in managing this situation.
UPDATED MONDAY @ 10:03 AM
On Sunday evening Dothan Police responded to a call at Vaughn Towers or the house behind Vaughn Towers on Lafayette Street. Vaughn Towers sits at the corner of S. St. Andrew’s Street and Lafayette Street.
Dothan Police Patrol Division responded to reports of a man walking around with a gunshot wound.
As the Dothan Police Patrol Officer saw the man and went to approach the man raised the gun and fired on the Dothan Police Officer. The officer returned fire. After the exchange of gunfire the man with the gun ran into a house on East Lafayette Street, which was his house.
Multiple Dothan Police and Houston County Sheriff Deputies responded to include Dothan Police Chief Will Benny and Dothan Police Major Will Glover along with Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza. Armed vehicles were brought in which are bullet proof.
Dothan Police SWAT Team was brought in along with negotiators.
After several hours of negotiating and flushing the house with chemicals, the suspect came out firing gunfire on the law enforcement officers. Dothan Police Officers returned gunfire.
Once the suspect was down and safe, Dothan Fire Engine 1 and Pilcher Ambulance rushed in to the suspect and became treating for gunshot wound. The person was transported under trauma alert to Southeast Health. The subject was pronounced dead.
Houston County Coroner Robert Byrd was notified. The body will be transported to Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for medical examination.
As per policy, ALEA – State Bureau of Investigation is notified and will conduct an investigation of the use of deadly physical force.
The deceased gunman has been identified as Antonio Christopher King. King does have a criminal record.
FROM RSN AND NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT – BUT YOU FIRE A WEAPON AT LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOU WILL MEET DEADLY PHYSICAL FORCE!!!!
A lot of rumors, NO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS were injured and no child was injured.
The officers used extreme patience and time in attempting to resolve this matter without the use of deadly physical force. But King decided he wanted a different outcome.
