By Staff Writer Daniel Locke
CALERAThe person who is suspected of shooting a weapon at the Calera Walmart parking lot on Thursday, June 19, in the morning has been recognized and taken into custody.
Bessemer resident Destanie Nicole Rogers, 38, was accused of shooting into an occupied house. After posting a $30,000 bond, Rogers was released from the Shelby County Jail on Friday, June 20, after being arrested on Thursday, June 19.
When police arrived on the scene at 11:30 a.m. on June 19, they found a bullet hole in the rear driver’s side door of the white 2022 Ford Edge.
The Calera Police Department was able to identify the culprit with the use of Walmart surveillance footage and witness and victim descriptions. Less than 20 minutes after the first alert was sent to all units, Rogers was found and taken into custody.
The woman reportedly got out of her automobile and shot the victim’s car, according to witness and victim accounts. Rogers allegedly left the scene and changed the vehicle tags.
According to Calera Police Chief David Hyche, the department’s support from the victim, witnesses, and Walmart was crucial in assisting officers in locating the culprit.
In a statement released on Thursday, Hyche stated, “I want to commend the witness for coming forward and providing information.” Additionally, I would want to express my gratitude to our dispatchers and officers who were overworked and overloaded with calls today. They made the arrest, replied right away, and shared important information. It’s done that way.
Hyche also gave the department’s school resource officers credit for being on hand and being able to offer support during the crisis.
“We have the additional bodies from our SRO crew in the summer to assist when we are overburdened,” Hyche added.
Hyche revealed that the bullet’s route passed near an empty car seat in the car and said that if a child had been in the seat when it happened, the situation might have been even worse.
According to Hyche, when someone becomes so enraged about a parking space that they draw a gun and shoot into an occupied car, our nation is facing severe issues. This could have been a much more catastrophic incident if a youngster had been in that car seat.
Additional details will be posted at Shelbycountyreporter.com as they become available.
