Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

Two suspects are in custody following a March 27 shooting, possibly related to road rage.

Rhett Brooks Churchwell and Tommie Steven Fulmer have each been charged with one count of throwing/shooting into an occupied vehicle and three counts of aggravated assault attempted murder.

They are being held at the Chilton County Jail without bail.

The Chilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies and EMS workers responded to a call about a gunshot wound at the corner of County Road 59 and County Road 503 in Verbena around 3 p.m. on March 27.

“Upon arrival, units found a male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the facial area. The victim was taken by medical helicopter to an area trauma center in critical but stable condition,” according to a CCSO press release.

The victim, whose name is not being released at this time, was the driver of the vehicle and is 62 years old.

Sheriff John Shearon said the victim told law enforcement that the suspects had been driving closely behind his vehicle and driving erratically. When the victim had pulled over to let them pass, they would not.

Also in the vehicle were the victim’s wife and grandchild. Both of which sustained no physical injuries.

The suspects had left the scene before law enforcement arrived. However, deputies received information about where the suspect’s car might be and deputies were able to locate it and make an arrest.

“I am proud of our deputies being able to do so and putting a pretty quick resolution to what was a bad situation,” Shearon said, adding that his prayers were with the victim and his family members that in the car.

In 2019, Churchwell had been arrested three times on drug-related charges, unlawful possession of a concealed weapon, reckless endangerment and one count of shooting into an occupied building.