Oxford, AL –A Birmingham man, aged 23 Justin Chapman, now faces charges of attempted murder and burglary connected to an active shooter situation near the interchange of I-20 in Oxford. The incident occurred on a Thursday afternoon, and led to an extensive law enforcement response.
In the words of chief Bill Partridge of the Oxford Police Department, Chapman was arrested at the scene and further charges could follow because the case is still under investigation. One person that was involved during the incident in critical condition.
The incident started after police from the Oxford Police Department received reports of a shooter in active mode near the I-20 interchange at around noon. Witnesses reported that the suspected shooter was driving in a erratic manner before abruptly abandoning the highway to confront one of the pedestrians on the roadside. A heated argument ensued between two parties, and the driver was allegedly found with an assault weapon from his car.
As the fight escalated, another vehicle parked nearby stopped to observe the situation. At this point, when the suspect shot on the stopped vehicle however, fortunately, there were there were no injuries reported among the passengers. But, the suspect returned his focus towards the person who was walking along the road, and fired. The victim was then transported by air into UAB Hospital, where he remains in critical health.
The incident continued when the suspect fired shots at the RaceTrac convenience store located at Grace Street, endangering those who were in the vicinity, including a vehicle that was parked within the parking lot. After the arrival of police, the suspect was ordered to surrender without any further violence.
Because of the ongoing investigation’s ongoing nature, the Chief Partridge has stated that no further details are currently available. The incident has shocked the entire community and is an unsettling reminder of the risks that may result from road rage and violent confrontations.
Charges:
Attempted Murder Bond $60,000
Bond $60,000
Second Burglary Bond $25,000
