The Selma Times-Journal

Roosevelt Marzette Jr. has the unfortunate distinction of being the first man shot in Selma in the New Year.

Gunfire punctuated the celebrations on Mechanic Street where he lived as he went outside to quiet his dog.

While in his backyard, a bullet hit him in the leg, just after midnight on Jan. 1.

He tried to get up immediately after being hit, but his wounded leg wouldn’t support him.

Marzette was transported to Vaughan Regional Medical Center. Later, he was transferred to a Birmingham hospital where surgeons immediately operated on the damaged limb.

While he is expected to fully recover, Marzette said it would be a while before he’s back on his feet.

Doctors were able to recover the bullet, but Marzette said there was no way to know the caliber.

He said he was positive that he wasn’t the target of any shooting, the shots were just some Selma residents’ way of ringing in the New Year.