Selma leaders speak about safety concerns following shootings during Bridge Crossing Jubilee weekend
Two shootings that injured eight people during the Bridge Crossing Jubilee weekend in Selma have raised concerns and sparked conversations about safety at the annual event, which draws thousands of people.
City leaders and Jubilee organizers are in agreement about taking the necessary steps to improve safety and security at future events.
Six people were hurt in shooting in the overnight hours Saturday morning in the 1200 block of Alabama Avenue. Two more people were shot late Saturday afternoon near the Jubilee Music and Street Festival.
“My daughter was participating downtown,” Selma Mayor Johnny Moss III told Action 8 News. “She was afraid. She was running when she heard the gunshots. So, I take this personally. And we want to make sure that we provide a safe environment for our vendors, our visitors, even our citizens and our police force.”
“They certainly were not at any of the events of the Bridge Crossing Jubilee. But people say that you could hear the shots and that’s enough to concern all of us. So, we have to find a way to make sure that never happens again. Because what we’re emphasizing is non-violence,” Bridge Crossing Jubilee co-founder and former state Sen. Hank Sanders said.
Police say one person has been arrested and charged with assault in the first shooting. The suspect’s name hasn’t yet been released.
If you have information to help police, call CrimeStoppers at (334) 215-STOP.
