Man shoots at cousin during family party

Published 11:54 pm Tuesday, March 20, 2018

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a man allegedly responsible for shooting his own cousin at a family birthday party Saturday afternoon.

Capt. Mike Granthum said 32-year-old Virgil Turner is wanted for first-degree assault and several shooting into an unoccupied vehicle charges.

The shooting happened Saturday between 5:45-6 p.m. on Dallas County Road 306, which is also known as Bat Smith Road.

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“Family members were celebrating the birthday party of Mr. Walter Turner. They were all at the house at the time. They had family over and friends over and were having a good time,” Granthum said.

Virgil and Walter, who are first cousins, allegedly started arguing over speakers, which is what led to Virgil allegedly pulling out a gun and opening fire at the birthday party.

“Instead of talking about it, Virgil pulls out a gun like a coward does, and he shot Walter Turner one time in the torso area,” Granthum said. “He actually had another person with him we’re trying to find now that actually fired some shots also.”

Virgil and a second alleged shooter have not been arrested as of Monday afternoon.

“Not only did he shoot him (Walter), but there’s a crowd there. He just started shooting, and luckily nobody else was hurt,” Granthum said. “By the grace of God nobody else was hurt, but he hit several vehicles.”

Virgil Turner is to be considered armed and dangerous, Granthum said. Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to call the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department at (334) 874-2530.

“We’ve got active warrants out on him for assault first and multiple counts of shooting into an unoccupied vehicle. More charges will be pending,” Granthum said.

Granthum described Virgil Turner as a black male with short hair and a medium skin tone, 6 feet one inch tall, 188 pounds. Granthum said he drives a white Nissan with no tag and a spoiler on the back, and he frequents the Montgomery area.