Alvin Benn

Special to the Advertiser

SELMA – Two gunshots were fired in the direction of state Rep. Darrio Melton and another area Selma resident on Thursday night in what appeared to have been a random robbery attempt, according to authorities Friday.

Melton, the leading vote-getter for mayor of Selma and businessman Aubrey Carter, weren’t struck by the bullets, said Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson.

Jackson said he was sitting at a table during the annual Barbecue on the Green event at historic Sturdivant Hall about 9 p.m. Thursday when shooting occurred.

“They were apparently walking toward their cars in the parking lot behind Sturdivant Hall, Selma’s most popular antebellum mansion, when two men jumped out of bushes with guns drawn,” said Jackson.

Melton and Carter both ran when one of the two with guns yelled for them to stop and then began firing in their direction, said Jackson.

Jackson said he texted him shortly after the incident occurred and was told “he was okay” at the Selma Police Department “where he was giving his statement.”

Melton issued a statement on the shooting incident Friday afternoon, saying he had “experienced firsthand the increasing prevalence of crime and gun violence here in Selma.”

He also said he was thankful that he and Carter hadn’t been “seriously injured” by the gunfire and said he was thankful for the “words of encouragement and well-wishes at this time.”

“Unfortunately, too many people in this city know the pains of crime and violence simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the lawmaker said. “It’s time for us as a community to stand together and say enough is enough. The senseless violence must stop.”

Melton, a Democrat who represents House District 67, is in his second term as a member of the Legislature state House of Representatives.

“I could clearly hear two ‘Pow Pow’ shots,” said Jackson. “From what I understand they were not warning shots fired into the air. They were aimed in the direction of Melton and (Carter).”

Jackson said it was likely neither of the two who jumped from the bushes was aware of Melton’s position in the legislature or his mayoral candidacy.

Melton led former Mayor James Perkins Jr. in the race for Selma’s most important political position but didn’t garner enough votes to win without a runoff.

Lt. Sam Miller of the Selma Police Department said Friday morning that there were no new developments in the case, but an investigation is continuing.

Jackson said without solid leads in the case “somebody might run their mouth and get caught.

“We have Crime Stoppers and other ways of dealing with those who do what those two did last night,” said Jackson, who often refers to Selma’s criminal element as “gunslingers.”