By Eloria Newell James, community@leadercall.com
May 13, 2008 09:32 am
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Law enforcement officials have determined that prior fights have resulted in two separate shootings last week that have landed two Jones County men behind bars.
Detective Kevin Flynn with the Laurel Police Department said Dennis Jamel Crawford, 20, of Julian Street, Laurel was taken into custody Friday and has since been charged in connection with a shooting into a dwelling on Lee Street that was reported Wednesday night.
In a separate incident, Marquis Jovan Fordham, 19, of McConkey Street, Laurel was taken into custody by police Saturday and charged in connection with a May 5 shooting at Third Avenue and 18th Street, according to Flynn.
Flynn said Crawford, whose nickname is “Head,” is charged in connection with the incident that occurred about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday when LPD Lt. Shane Valentine and Officer Mark White responded to the 1700 block of Lee Street in reference to a shooting into a dwelling.
“A bullet struck the residence and the bullet went through the front wall and embedded in the headboard of a bed,” Flynn said. “It was learned later Thursday that a vehicle had been shot at and struck twice.”
However, Crawford was arrested for one count of attempted aggravated assault and one count of shooting into a dwelling house.
Flynn said after some investigation, it was determined that the shooter was firing at the vehicle, which was traveling down Lee Street when one of the bullets missed the vehicle and struck the residence.
Flynn said the incident is believed to have been the result of an earlier altercation in that area.
In the other incident, Flynn said, Fordham was officially charged Monday with one count of shooting into a dwelling house.
On May 5, Officers Stephen Bullock and George Hill responded to a report of shots fired at the intersection of Third Avenue and 18th Street.
“Officers found shell casings in the roadway on Third Avenue and found one bullet hole in the house,” Flynn said. “Through our investigation, we’ve learned that the victims at the residence have had numerous altercations with the suspect.
“There’s been some ongoing disagreements,” the detective confirmed. “Earlier the day of the shooting, the suspect was involved in a fight with the victims and received some injuries.”
Fordham reportedly received some medical treatment and was later released.
Flynn said “later, about 11 p.m. that night, he (Fordham) went back (to the Third Avenue and 18th Street area) and fired at the residence.”
No injuries were reported from either of the shootings, according to officials.
Flynn said the shootings are not believed to be related.
Crawford appeared before Laurel Municipal Court Judge Cecelia Arnold Saturday for his initial court appearance.
During the hearing, the judge set Crawford’s bond at $200,000.
Fordham is scheduled to have his initial court appearance this week, where his bond will be set.
Crawford and Fordham are both being held in the Jones County Detention Center.
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Crawford
Fordham