Bayou La Batre Shooting: Bayou La Batre, Ala. (WALA) – A Shooting Incident Leaves Neighbor Injured and Child in Close Call
In the tight-knit community of Coden, Bayou La Batre Police are delving into a recent shooting that rocked the 8800 block of Midway Road.
Responding swiftly after reports of gunfire around 7 p.m. on a Friday, officers discovered a man with two gunshot wounds upon arrival.
The victim, engaged in conversation with a visitor outdoors, was taken by surprise as shots echoed in the air. The assailant, identified as 65-year-old Ted Gillespie, allegedly fired a shotgun thrice, hitting the victim twice in each leg.
Shockingly close, Gillespie’s shots also struck the vehicle of the victim’s friend. The friend, accompanied by her 8-year-old daughter, miraculously escaped harm as the bullets found their mark on the car.
The victim, taken to the hospital, received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Perplexingly, the victim claimed no interaction with Gillespie before the sudden attack.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and investigators are yet to establish any prior history between the victim and Gillespie.
Gillespie now faces charges of first-degree assault and shooting into an occupied vehicle. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unexpected turns within even the closest-knit communities.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What movie mentions Bayou La Batre?
Bayou La Batre appears in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump and in Winston Groom’s book of the same name, the place where Forrest’s army friend Benjamin Buford “Bubba” Blue lives, and later where Forrest Gump becomes a shrimp boat captain.
Who was the founder of Bayou La Batre?
Located on the stunning Gulf of Mexico, Bayou La Batre is affectionately known as the Seafood Capitol of Alabama. This charming area in Mobile County has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 1786 by Joseph Bosarge, the recipient of a generous land grant from the King of Spain. Set along the picturesque Mississippi Sound, Bayou La Batre is a gem for seafood enthusiasts and history buffs alike.