The Selma Police Department (SPD) responded to a shooting Monday night that has left one dead.

SPD Chief Spencer Collier said Achilles Rutledge, 21 of Selma, was shot and killed in the Horseshoe area of GWC Homes.

“Selma patrol officers were dispatched to the area last night at approximately 10:30 p.m. in reference to a subject possibly shot inside a vehicle,” he said. “Once on scene, officers discovered a male, later identified as Rutledge, slumped over in the passenger seat of a two-door Honda Accord. Dallas County Coroner responded to the scene and pronounced Rutledge deceased. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and initial investigation indicates that he was shot while sitting in the vehicle, which was parked in the front of the apartment that he shared with his girlfriend.

“All of Selma CID and the Crime Scene Unit responded and processed the scene,” said Collier. “A female subject was briefly detained last night but was released early this morning as the investigation continues.

Collier, who was on the scene, stated “When examined in its totality and especially considering the high volume of rounds fired, the extreme close proximity to his own apartment as well as multiple neighboring apartments and the relatively early hour; there is absolutely zero chance that someone didn’t hear or see something. It takes more than complaining about the violence that is currently escalating in GWC Homes. Someone has to give a damn that a 21-year-old young man was brutally gunned down while sitting in his car in front of his apartment.  It’s going to take a whole community concept to resolve these issues and it can start by someone caring enough to speak up.”

SPD and Selma Housing Board officials recently met with federal officials to specifically address the escalation of violent and specifically gun crimes in GWC Homes, according to Collier.

“We are so very appreciative of the partnership that we have developed with Housing Board Executive Director Kennard Randolph,” said Collier. “We have seen a night and day difference in the cooperation we are getting. Additionally, the ATF has been a vital partner in bringing in the necessary tools to identify these gun crimes in a timely manner. The rest of the federal support has been a dialogue of wanting to help, after the fact. However, at least there is dialogue and that’s an improvement”.

Collier vowed to continue to provide a heavy presence in the area as officers were on the scene within minutes of the call, he said.

“There is concern that the call went out as a suspect shot inside a car as opposed to a report of shots fired,” said Collier. “The time disparity in the calls can make the difference in apprehending suspects on the scene as opposed to working it simply as a homicide scene.”