Selma police have made an arrest in the shooting deaths of three people at American Deli early Saturday morning.
Selma’s new police Chief Ettice Brickus said in a press conference Monday that the arrest was made Sunday and that she will not release the name and information about the arrest until all are notified. She said he was known to those involved in the shooting.
“For everyone involved, I want to give them an opportunity to digest what took place and for the community to stabilize before I do that,” Brickus said.
The names of the three who died in the shooting are also not being released yet.
“Selma is in mourning over these lives lost,” she said, adding that “reckless violence and criminal behavior will not be tolerated.”
When asked for details about the shooting that happened outside of a 24-hour restaurant on Highway 80 in Selma, Brickus said, “an alteration occurred. Weapons were brandished and there were shots that were fired and the people who were hit succumbed to their injuries.”
Brickus said Selma detectives “hit the ground running” and came in from being off to handle the investigation, interviewing family, friends and witnesses to identify a person of interest. The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office also helped block off the scene.
"We were able to make contact with the person of interest and that person of interest actually came forward and spoke to us," Brickus said.
She also said there were no public safety concerns after the incident, calling it isolated as those involved were known to each other.
Brickus did not plan to discuss the business where it occurred, saying it “doesn’t have anything to do with the business.” When asked about whether the business needs better security, Brickus said she will meet with the business owners to talk about ways to support them.
Brickus urged those involved to avoid considering retaliation action. She also asked anyone with information to call 334-215-STOP and adds it protects anonymity. Call detectives to provide information at 334-574-5874.
After just starting the job on Oct. 1, Brickus said she may be new to Selma, but she is not new to policing. While the Incident is unfortunate, she said it gave her an opportunity to assess the policing team and learn how she can support them.
Also in attendance at the press conference were Mayor Johnny Moss III, City Council President Kennard Randolph, District Attorney Robert Turner Jr. and Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum.
After the news conference, Ward 7 Councilwoman Jannie Thomas, who represents this area, said she recently provided Brickus with a city ordinance governing 24-hour businesses. The ordinance requires security cameras, security patrols and other safety measures, according to Thomas.
Thomas noted that a similar shooting occurred in nearly the same area during 2024 and said she hopes the city will review enforcement of the ordinance.
"We wanted to enforce the ordinance that was on the book," Thomas said. "Just making sure the measurement of the ordinance is carried out and that each business understands the ordinance that requires them."
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