Two murdered in club shooting, eight more wounded
Published 12:00 am Sunday, November 7, 2004
Times-Journal News Editor
On a perfect fall Sunday afternoon in Selma, children played less than a block away from the empty nightclub known as “D Night Spot.” Only the yellow police tape swaying back and forth in the wind hinted at the horrors that had taken place inside a few hours before.
Just after 2 a.m. Sunday morning, Selma police received reports of shots fired inside the club, also known as Donnie Roy’s.
Police found at least 10 people shot and at least one person dead at the scene.
Another victim died of his wounds at Vaughan Regional Medical Center.
Antonio Boggan, 21 of White Hall, and Robert Fails, 22 of Selma, were killed. They are the 11th and 12th murder victims in Selma so far this year.
“No mercy,” Selma mayor James Perkins Jr.
said. “No mercy for the shooters. We’ve given people an opportunity (to turn in their guns) and at this point, no mercy. I’m asking the judges to forgo bonds. I’ve asked the chief (Robert Jacobs) to do everything within the department’s power to make the arrests swiftly. I’m asking the citizens to come forward and provide any information they have. They need to come forward and start talking.”
In an ironic twist, police officials said that Fails, is the same Robert Fails awaiting sentencing for the manslaughter of Erick Huntington outside the Tornado Club last year.
Fails’ murder comes exactly one year to the day after he killed Huntington.
Fails pled guilty to manslaughter two weeks ago.
Details of how and why the shooting happened were still sketchy Sunday as police investigators continued to interview witnesses.
“We’re still trying to sort through it,” Public Information Officer Det. Sgt. Joe Little said. “At this point, we’re not ruling anything out.”
Little did say that the department feels strongly that there were at least two shooters. According to Dallas County Coroner Alan Dailey, the club was “fairly packed” at the time of the shooting.
In addition to the two killed, eight others received wounds that ranged from critical to minor.
All of the victims were treated at the Vaughan Medical Center Emergency Room where they were admitted, released, or transported to another healthcare facility, based on the severity of their injuries.
According to a Vaughan Hospital official,
Anthony Crusoe, 27 of Selma, is in fair condition. Dewayne Thomas, 24 of Selma, is in good condition.
Theodore Barlow, 25 of Montgomery, is in good condition. Chavondee Thompson, 19 of Selma, is in fair condition.
Lila Edwards, 20 of Selma, was discharged and Cornielius Ford, 21 of Selma, was transferred to UAB where it is believed his injuries are not life threatening.
One other victim, Erthur Davis of Selma, apparently suffered only a minor injury.
There was no incident report for the 10th victim.
Sunday, Little did confirm 10 victims.
“The police department is doing everything they can,” Dailey said. “I don’t know what the answer is, it’s a bad thing.”
“Anytime a senseless act like this occurs it makes you sick to the stomach,” Perkins said. “I sympathize for the families who were victims in the situation and my heart really goes out to the victims and their families.”
“The Selma Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division is currently investigating the shootings and is following up on all leads,” Little said in a press release.
This is considered to an ongoing investigation and no further information can be released at this time.”
The SPD is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact either Crime Stoppers at (334) 874-3530, the secret witness line at 334-874-290 or the criminal investigations division at 334-874-2125.
People who give information that leads to an arrest in the case may be eligible for a cash reward.