Selma police held a press conference Saturday at Selma Walmart to reveal information known so far in the deadly shooting at the superstore parking lot Friday night.
Selma Police Department Lt. Ray Blanks said in the news conference that Selma resident Marcus Martin, 40, apparently “got caught up in the middle” of a disagreement between at least two persons that started inside Walmart and “spilled out” into the parking lot at around 8 p.m. on Jan. 31. Gunshots were exchanged and police found Martin shot to death in his truck.
“Detectives are actively working to identify suspects” by looking at video provided by Walmart, Blanks said. He said police are looking for “multiple” suspects. Two juveniles were arrested hours after this press conference and charged with murder. More arrests could follow.
“This incident is not tied to Walmart,” Banks said. “You can still feel safe in Walmart.”
Walmart Manager James Lee Packard III, who attended the press conference, said Friday’s shooting was the first such incident in the eight years he has been manager of the Selma store. “Your safety and concern are always heard, especially at Walmart,” Packard said.
In a statement issued Saturday, Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. said, “This horrific incident left me speechless. Citizens should be able to go to Walmart, move throughout our community and shop without incident. No one deserves this, and this violence must stop!”
“We all know Marcus to be an excellent talent who served well in the faith community as a musician,” Perkins said. “He will be missed!”
Sources say Martin was an organist who played at area churches.
Perkins and Blanks said Selma Police Department is working with multiple outside agencies, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the district attorney’s office.
“Through the joint efforts of our law enforcement agencies, justice will be served,” Perkins said.
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