Selma councilperson wants more security at 24-hour businesses after shootout kills one, injures four

Councilwoman Jannie Thomas has been talking about the crime and gun violence in Ward 7, which encompasses Selma's busy business district Highway 80, for some time now.  

But after the latest shooting that left one man dead and four injured in a brazen shootout in the parking lot of American Deli on June 23, she is speaking out louder, demanding better law enforcement and security at businesses that operate 24 hours.  

“It was multiple shots,” Thomas said. “It was 3 o’clock in the morning. It woke up everybody over here. I was on my porch, and you could hear (the gunshots).”  

Jamarcus Posey, 26, died of multiple gunshot wounds in the shootout at 405 Highland Avenue at American Deli, according to Selma Police.   

Selma Police Chief Kenta Fulford, in his first week back on duty after a two-month suspension, told the Selma Sun “the Criminal Investigation Division is actively investigating this incident.” He did not provide any additional information, including whether any suspects have been identified or arrests made.  

Thomas said this is the second shooting incident she knows of at American Deli. She said the first incident happened about a year ago. “There was a fight inside the business, then somebody shot somebody outside,” she said. No one died in that incident.  

American Deli stays open 24 hours, as do several gas stations in Ward 7. Thomas said these businesses have a lot of traffic at all hours of the night. She contends that if a business chooses to open 24 hours, they should provide security.  

“We don’t have a lot of clubs anymore, so people pop up at these places,” Thomas said. And when they gather at these establishments that stay open all night, the music gets loud and disturbs the neighborhood, and the potential for problems grows.  

Innocent bystanders can get hit by flying bullets, Thomas said. “When they start shooting, these bullets go into people’s homes.”  

Thomas has asked the Selma Police to step up patrols in Ward 7, and she said they have. But she also said the citizens in Ward 7 are tired of the violence. “The people in Ward 7 want public safety,” Thomas said. “They want more patrols. They want the (surveillance) cameras up.”   

A contract for a citywide surveillance camera system from Selcom was recently signed by Selma City Council President Billy Young. Thomas has been an advocate for putting up surveillance cameras around the city. “The whole city wants the cameras up. They will help a lot,” she said.   

Thomas also pointed out that most of the violence is from people “coming from the outside into Ward 7.”   

The businesses that open late are not the only concern Thomas has in Ward 7. “I’m concerned about the gun violence – period,” she said. “My Ward has had a lot of gun violence. About a month ago we had someone get shot on 10th Avenue. Then we had a murder on Crestwood. Somebody went in and killed the barbershop guy.”  

Even though the police have stepped up patrols in Ward 7, there still needs to be a bigger police presence, according to Thomas.  

“The safety of the community and the safety of the business” are her main concerns, Thomas said. But she repeated that businesses open 24 hours should provide security to help protect that safety.