Covington police are looking for help from the public in solving two shootings that took place Saturday night.
One of them ended the life of 32-year-old Ralph Alexander of Brighton.
Chief Donna Turner said officers were dispatched to Stevens Avenue, in northern Covington, at 9:30 p.m. after a shooting had been reported.
They found a blue Ford Mustang crashed 500 feet into a yard and found multiple cartridge casings in the roadway.
Alexander was transported to Baptist-Tipton where he was later pronounced dead.
Turner said Alexander reportedly left work at a nearby factory, went to a party on Wooten Street, and was later shot on Stevens.
While detectives from Covington and the Tipton County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by district attorney general Mark Davidson and DA’s office investigator Tommy White, were processing the murder scene, another shooting was reported near Covington’s historic district.
Just after midnight there were dozens of gunshots heard near Bledsoe and Feezor. Officers and deputies recovered more than 40 shell casings from a home on Feezor.
Turner said a home was hit by the gunfire, bullets going through walls and windows. It is believed the persons responsible walked through yards, fired the shots, then left in a vehicle. There were no reported injuries.
A motive for the shootings remains unclear but they appeared to be related, Turner said.
“There is a nexus between the incidents and the alleged suspects who are in rival gangs.”
Turner is hoping the public will help detectives solve the murder.
“We are asking for assistance from the community who may have seen a vehicle fleeing from the areas from both shootings,” she said. “We feel the suspects may have exited vehicles and walked in the shadows to commit these cowardly, violent acts.”
Turner is asking residents and business owners in these areas to check their surveillance systems for any potential clues.
“It could aid in us getting a break,” she said. “Initial information reveals there will be multiple suspects in both cases. I appreciate the citizens who have stepped up and provided leads and information of possible suspects. These citizens have united with us to take their community back from the few who enter their communities to recklessly endanger everyone. We are actively pursuing these suspects and want to prevent additional retailiation of more violence.”
Turner said those providing the department with information will remain anonymous.
If anyone has information in this case, please contact the Criminal Investigations Division. Tips can be sent through Facebook messenger or Central Dispatch at 901-475-4300.
Author: Echo Day
Echo Day is an award-winning journalist, photographer and designer. She is currently The Leader's managing editor.
