A gathering at a home on Lagoon Drive in Enterprise, Alabama, on May 25, 2021, ended in deadly violence. Friends, including Amez Shipmon and Dorian Lamont Bell, had been drinking; a play fight between Shipmon and Bell escalated into a more serious altercation that moved outdoors. Witnesses heard a first gunshot, then a pause of more than 15 seconds before additional shots. Shipmon was struck twice in the chest and was left wounded as Bell fled the scene; police arrested Bell a short time later.

Investigators found Bell, who had a prior criminal history, was unlawfully in possession of a firearm; he admitted to that federal charge and received 92 months in prison. In state court Bell was first charged with murder; that charge was amended and he pleaded guilty to manslaughter. At sentencing the court denied a request for a split sentence and Bell received 25 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections for Shipmon’s killing.

If anyone was at the gathering or has information about what led to the shooting, please share what is known.