The Selma Police Department is investigating the city's 13th murder of the year, which prompted new Mayor Johnny Moss III to ask for a strategic plan to curb crime.
The victim, William Holley, 63, of Selma, was found Saturday night by police with a gunshot wound and unresponsive at Philpot Avenue and Washington Street, according to a press release issued Monday morning from Chief Kenta Fulford.
The Selma Police Department's CID Unit is handling the investigation. Detectives are actively following several leads and conducting interviews with witnesses, but no arrests have been made yet, police said.
Fulford is urging anyone with information about this incident to come forward and contactthe Selma Police Department at 334-874-5894 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers/Tip Line at 334-215-STOP.
"This is a tragic incident, and our department is fully committed to finding the person or persons responsible. We ask our community to remain vigilant and to share any information that may assist our investigators."
The murder prompted new Mayor Johnny Moss III to release a statement Sunday night – 12 hours before police released information on the killing – saying he is meeting with Fulford to create a formal plan to curb crime. It would be a “clear and decisive strategy” that focuses on “strengthening patrol presence, improving coordination, and ensuring accountability at every level.”
“Selma is tired of the constant gunfire in our streets, tired of living in fear, and tired of watching lives cut short by senseless violence,” Moss said in the statement. “This cannot continue!”
The full statement:
“There was another senseless murder in our city last evening. My heart goes out to the victim's family and to everyone affected by this tragic and unnecessary loss. Selma is tired of the constant gunfire in our streets, tired of living in fear, and tired of watching lives cut short by senseless violence. This cannot continue!
I have spoken with our Police Chief, and while we have not yet adopted a formal plan, we will meet over the next few days to develop a clear and decisive strategy. This plan will focus on strengthening patrol presence, improving coordination, and ensuring accountability at every level. I want our citizens to know that this administration takes these acts seriously and is committed to restoring peace and security to every neighborhood in Selma.
But the government alone cannot do it. It will take all of us, working together, to make Selma safe again. We will not accept violence as our new normal. We will confront, address, and overcome it together.”
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