By By Jeffery L. Biggs For The Standard
A Castleberry man underwent surgery in Andalusia after he was shot Wednesday night at the Big/Little Store in River Falls.
According to River Falls Police Chief Jeff Holland, Covington County E-911 received an call from the River Falls convenience store a little after 8 p.m. Wednesday night regarding a shooting that had taken place.
"A little after 8 Wednesday night, an altercation took place at the Big/Little Store that involved three people," Holland said. "The altercation began in the parking lot and involved one subject being shot in the back. The subject then fled inside of the store where he was attempting to get away from the shooter.
"Once inside the store, the shooter shot inside the building where there were several people," Holland continued. "No one was injured inside the building from that shot."
The shooting victim has been identified as Daron Lavon Cunningham, 37, of Casteberry.
The alleged shooter has been identified as Tony Renay Shufford, also a black male. According to the Covington County Sheriff's Department Jail Log, Shufford, 40, resides in Covinton County.
Beyond those few details, Holland said very little is known at this time about the incident or its cause.
"It's still very early in the investigation, but it appears everything seems to have stemmed from a domestic dispute that has been ongoing for the past week," Holland said. "There were several witnesses to the incident who were questioned Wednesday night.
"Mr. Cunningham was transported to Andalusia Regional Hospital where he underwent surgery and was placed in intensive care," Holland continued. "Beyond that, I don't know his status (as of Thursday morning)."
Following the shooting, Holland said Shufford fled the scene in the same vehicle he arrived in, contrary to some speculation that Shufford stole a truck at the scene.
"He did leave the scene, but was apprehended without incident on Coy Street in Andalusia," Holland said. "He gave himself up."
During Wednesday night's investigations, law enforcement officials were seen at the store searching for the alleged weapon, which was recovered during the night.
"The weapon was recovered and it will be sent to the forensics lab for identification of prints and ballistics testing," he said. "It does appear the gun was tossed following the incident."
The name of a third person involved in the incident, a black female, has not been released. She was driving a red BMW convertible with an Escambia County tag.
"We are not releasing her name at this time, pending further investigation," Holland added.
Shufford was originally booked into the Covington County Jail on charges of Assault I, however Holland said that charge had been dropped and additional charges were added.
"He has been charged with attempted murder, with a bond set at $1 million; reckless endangerment, with a bond set at $3,000; menacing, with a bond set at $3,000; and shooting into an occupied building, with a bond set at $20,000," Holland said.