Two shot, one jailed in shooting

A 51-year old Flomaton man was released on $1 million bond Tuesday after being charged with two counts of attempted murder in the shooting of two other Flomaton men while attending a birthday party Jan. 30.

James Scott Lassiter, 337 McMurphy Lane, was charged with shooting Stephen Fletcher Dunsford and Dunsford's nephew, Steven Zachary Dunsford.

Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson said deputies were dispatched about 8 p.m. Saturday to the 400 block of McMurphy Lane in reference to shots being fired. When deputies arrived they made contact with two adult males who were suffering from gunshot wounds.

Jackson said one of the victims was transported by ambulance to D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in Brewton and later transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. The second victim, Zach Dunsford, was air lifted to Sacred Heart Hospital from near the scene of the shooting.

Sheriff Jackson said Lassiter fled the scene on foot into the woods in an attempt to escape. A K-9 tracking team from the Alabama Department of Corrections responded and tracked and located Lassiter about a mile away.

Jackson said the shooting occurred at a birthday party that was being held for one of the victims. He said the motive for the shooting has not been determined but said Lassiter and one of the victims "had words" that escalated into a fight and ended with both victims being shot. Jackson also said alcohol was involved in the disturbance and is believed to have played a large role in the incident.

Lassiter was employed as a correctional officer at the Century Correctional Institute. During a bond hearing Monday, Lassiter told Circuit Judge Todd Stearns he doubted he still had a job at the prison. Published reports have since stated Lassiter is no longer employed with the Florida Department of Corrections.

Jackson said in addition to the sheriff's office, the investigation was assisted by the Flomaton Police Department, state troopers from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Alabama Department of Corrections' K-9 unit, the Wawbeek Fire Department and EMS.

During Monday's bond hearing Lassiter first asked Judge Stearns to appoint him an attorney after filling out an application.

Judge Stearns asked him if he was employed and Lassiter said he was employed with the Century Correctional Institute, but said "More than likely I'm terminated". He did tell the judge he hadn't received any notice that he had been terminated.

After reviewing Lassiter's financial situation and assets, Judge Stearns denied his motion for a court appointed attorney.

"As we stand right now I'm not going to deem you indigent," Judge Stearns told Lassiter.

Judge Stearns told Lassiter if the situation changes, he could reapply for a court-appointed attorney, but in the meantime he would have to hire his own attorney.

Lassiter hired Brewton Attorney Earnie White on Tuesday. He was released on $1 million bond Tuesday afternoon, secured by Central Bail Bonds.

District Attorney Steve Billy asked the judge to set the bond at $1 million due to the seriousness of the crime and the fact that Lassiter fled the scene and disposed of the weapon used.

"One (of the victims) is on life support as we speak," Billy said. "The charge could be upgraded to murder."

Judge Stearns asked Lassiter if he had anything to say in reference to the bond amount and he replied "I can't come up with a million dollars".

Judge Stearns set the bond at $1 million with stipulations that if he is released he will be placed under house arrest with an electronic monitoring device. He is to have no contact with the victims and can only leave his house to go to church, to work, to seek medical attention or meet with his attorney.

Lassiter said he didn't have access to a telephone to seek an attorney. Sheriff Jackson told the court he would make arrangements for him to use the telephone at the jail.