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Charges Upgraded To Attempted Murder In Century Shotgun Shooting

March 15, 2012

Charges have been upgraded to first degree attempted murder against a 55-year old man accused of shooting a man as he ran across busy North Century Boulevard last December.

Willie James Floyd of Atmore was booked into the Escambia County Jail Tuesday evening on a charge of attempted premeditated first degree murder with a weapon. He remains behind bars with bond set at $87,000. He had previously been released from jail on a $13,000 bond for lesser charges.

Floyd is accused of shooting 30-year old Deririck Medlock of Hoover, Ala., December 6 as he ran across the 8100 block of North Century Boulevard.

Medlock told deputies he was traveling north on North Century Boulevard (Hwy. 29) about 3:50 p.m. when a white four-door vehicle swerved in front of him, cutting him off. Medlock said he pulled into the Century Quick Stop at 8130 North Century Boulevard to calm down after the near-accident.

Medlock said he was outside his vehicle talking on his cellphone when Floyd then pulled into the parking lot and confronted the him, according to an arrest report. Floyd then retrieved a shotgun from his car and fired into Medlock’s car, striking it with birdshot at the roof line above the rear passenger door (pictured below left).

The victim then ran across North Century Boulevard when Floyd fired again, striking the victim in the leg with birdshot. Birdshot was also lodged in his wallet in his back pants pocket. Medlock hid behind a tree across North Century Boulevard from the store, where he watched Floyd drive away. Medlock then drove to the Southern Panhandle Restaurant just north of the store and called 911. He was evaluated there by Escambia County EMS, and he refused transport to the hospital.

Other witnesses confirmed the details given by the victim, and at the shooting was captured on the store’s surveillance video. That video has not been released by prosecutors.

For more photos from the scene, click here.

Pictured top: Deririck Medlock of Hoover, Ala., explains how an Atmore man shot him with shotgun December 6 in Century as Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Frank Way listens. Pictured inset: Damage to the victim’s car. Pictured below: A December afternoon shooting outside a Century convenience has led to first degree premeditated murder charges against the suspected gunman. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

9 Responses to “Charges Upgraded To Attempted Murder In Century Shotgun Shooting”

429SCJ on March 19th, 2012 9:57 am

I do not understand why Mr Floyd’s load of choice was birdshot. It would seem to me that 0 or 00 buckshot, or a sabot slug would be much more effective? I guess the birdshot was all he had on hand, fortunately for Mr Medlock. I am not trying to defend Mr Floyd, but only a real idiot would try to kill at that range using bird loads. I know he definetly intended to inflict pain. Who knows what goes on in peoples minds, it is a crazy world.
matt w on March 19th, 2012 6:46 am

I don’t see why everyone is “sticking up” for Mr. Floyd… He obviously shot this man as he ran for his life (video surveillance will prove that) and continued to opened fire on this man’s vehicle while he was trying to get away (could have possibly hit innocent bystanders)…I don’t think his intent was to SCARE the victim!?!…. regardless of the motive this man is very much guilty of a handful of crimes and will most likely be charged with them… and for those who say that Mr. Floyd “could have killed the man if he wanted to”… do you realize what kind of person you are painting Mr. Floyd out to be? doesn’t sound like a nice person to me!.. just saying.
about time on March 17th, 2012 6:11 pm

floyd could have hurt a lot of peoples thinking he was bad hope he get what he deserves
Jen on March 16th, 2012 3:15 pm

I know Mr. Floyd personally, and I personally know about this incident and trust me there is alot more to this story than is being told in the news…the news is painting Mr. Floyd in a bad light but thats not actually the case here, I just hope that the truth does come out in its entirety in court. And I do agree that if Mr. Floyd really wanted to kill this man he would have done it….his intent was not murder..I do wish I knew why the “victim” so to speak refused medical treatment after being shot…I would give alot of though to that question if i were trying to make a case….
Scott on March 15th, 2012 9:42 am

I’ve never quite understood why attempted murder is a lesser charge than murder.

The only difference is in the degree of success. It seems like you give the screw ups a reduced charge, but punish the successful person for being a good shot.

Seems almost like a 2nd Amendment violation.
TW on March 15th, 2012 9:05 am

Ive know Mr. Floyd for years and he has always been a person of good character. I haven’t spoken to him about what happened but I’m sure there must be more to the story. I’m just happy the guy wasn’t killed or seriously injured and I’m praying for Mr. Floyd.
mercy me on March 15th, 2012 8:33 am

There is more to the story. What was Medlock doing to prompt Floyd to have an interest in him? Most likely drugs, a woman, or theft, or a combination of the 3 are involved in some way. We will hear more about this as the legal sorting out is done.
JM on March 15th, 2012 7:55 am

I’m curious as to what excuse for this the shooter gave, not that anything is
an excuse but something must have triggered this incident. I wonder if any
of the witnesses saw any of the start of this shooting. One thing I have learned
is the people who drive to town together usually all know each other so of course
they will all stick to the same story. I’m not saying this is the case in this story,
but I am curious.
429SCJ on March 15th, 2012 4:39 am

Mr Floyd strikes me as the sort of fellow, that if murder was his intent, he would have stuck the barrel to Mr Medlock’s head. Glad he is off the street.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News