Seven suspects tied to Hardie Avenue shootings
Published 6:42 pm Saturday, March 23, 2013
What might be classified as a shootout in a Selma neighborhood Wednesday evening thankfully did not result in any injuries, but it has led the Selma Police Department to urge the community’s help in finding some of those who opened fire in the direction of families and children.
At around 6 p.m. Wednesday, police officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of Hardie Avenue in response to calls of shots fired and several suspects with guns. According to Selma Chief of Police William T. Riley, prior to the officers’ arrival, a group of individuals were standing in a nearby yard being “loud and arguing.”
“This went on for a brief moment when several of the individuals retrieved handguns and semi-automatic rifles and started shooting in the neighborhood,” Riley said. “During the shooting, a number of vehicles and homes were hit and there were a number of children in the area when the shooting started. Some of those homes and vehicles were occupied at the time of the shooting.
“It’s fortunate no one was reported injured during this senseless act,” Riley said.
Unfortunately for the department, the suspects fled the scene before the officers arrived.
Riley said through interviews and further investigation, the department identified a number of suspects reportedly tied to the shootings. He also said the department was able to locate and take into custody two of the seven suspects wanted.
Friday morning, both Ernest Bernard Gunn and Theodore Thespian Stallworth were arrested and charged with attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling and discharging a firearm into an unoccupied vehicle. According to Riley, both men were already on state probation and placed in the Dallas County Jail under $2.7 million bonds.
Those suspects still at large are: Kenyada Dukes, Lamarious Prince, Willie Earl Calhoun, James Cantrell Bender and Darryl DeWayne Johnson.
Selma Police are asking the public to call 911 if the suspects are seen or if they have any information on the whereabouts of the remaining suspects.