Gulf Shores’ family-friendly reputation untarnished from random act of violence
GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG) — A small town with a big beach is wrapping up another week of spring break with sun, sand, and a shooting Wednesday night that left one teenager with a gunshot wound.
Jaytwon Williams, 18, of Bay Minette, is behind bars after an argument reportedly over a girl.
“In the old days, this would have been settled differently, but nowadays, it seems like this is the response,” says city spokesman Grant Brown.
Since the shooting, police presence and patrols along the beachfront have not changed. The city is confident in the performance of its police department on security procedures in place.
“The call came in at 8:41, officers were on scene at 8:43. They were literally right there when this happened,” says Brown, who added officers on routine patrol heard the shots and called it in.
What visitors say about Gulf Shores
For the Cribb family, on a day trip from Mobile, safety and security at the beach are not a concern.
“It’s more of a comfortable area, more comfortable environment,” says Justin Cribb. “Mobile is a little different; that’s why we came over here.”
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Raenette Napier and her family from Indiana are wrapping up a week in Gulf Shores.
“We never thought anything about safety,” she says.
Even after hearing about the shooting, she still believes it is a safe place.
“I feel like a lot of it is isolated, and you know if you stay out of trouble, you stay out of the line of fire,” she said.
Police say Williams is not believed to be the shooter.
The search for the gun and other suspects involved in the incident continues.
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