Dothan police investigating shooting of girl wounded after leaving game

Dothan investigators believe that a bullet fired into the air from Kornegay Street may have caused a young girl’s gunshot wound at Rip Hewes Stadium on Friday night.

According to a release from the Dothan Police Department, “Due to the angle of the bullet entering the vehicle from the roof and the nature of the injuries, believed to be from a low-velocity bullet, investigators think it likely originated from Kornegay Street and landed where the victim was sitting.” Charges are pending as forensic testing is needed to match the bullet to the firearm recovered at the scene.

On October 18, police assigned to provide security at a high school football game were alerted by a citizen that a child had suffered a gunshot wound while in a vehicle parked at the stadium. Officers arrived to find the girl had minor swelling on her head from the bullet impact. She was transported to a local hospital for precautionary measures, and an immediate investigation began to trace the bullet's origin.

The investigation revealed that shots were fired following an altercation in the 400 block of Kornegay Street just before the girl was injured. Officers discovered shell casings in the roadway and secured the residence where they believed the shots originated, obtaining a search warrant to look for firearms and ammunition.

They located a 9mm carbine and ammunition that matched the shell casings found earlier. Two individuals were arrested for unrelated charges pending the forensic results related to the shooting at Rip Hewes.

Dothan Police Lieutenant Scott Owens emphasized the dangers of firing bullets into the air, stating, “Such actions are reckless and illegal. Those caught will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Our thoughts are with the family affected by this senseless incident.”