Sheriff: Alcohol Heavily Involved In Flomaton Double Shooting; Former Correctional Officer’s Bond Set At $1 Million

February 2, 2021

Bond has been set for a now former Century correctional officer accused of shooting two people at an Alabama birthday party Saturday night.

James Scott Lassiter, age 51 of Flomaton, is charged with two counts of attempted murder. Monday, an Escambia County (AL) judge set his bond at $1 million dollars, and he remained behind bars early Tuesday morning.

“The shooting happened at a birthday party that was being held for one of the victims,” Escambia County Sheriff Heath Jackson said. “One of the victims had words with Lassiter and it escalated into a fight that later ended up with both victims shot. Alcohol was involved in the disturbance and is believed to have played a large role in the incident.”

The double shooting occurred about 8 p.m. Saturday in the 400 block of McMurphy Lane just north of Old Atmore Road. One victim was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, and the second was transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton and then transferred to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.

Lassiter fled into a wooded area and was tracked for a little over a mile by a K-9 team from the Alabama Department of Corrections.

At the time of the shooting, Lassister was employed as a corrections officer at the state prison in Century.

Lassiter was hired as a correctional officer by the Florida Department of Correction (FDC) on October 4, 2019, and assigned to Century Correctional Institution. He resigned from his position effective Sunday, January 31, according to Paul Walker, press secretary for FDC.

“FDC has zero tolerance for staff who act contrary to our values: respect, integrity, courage, selfless service and compassion. Any willful breach of our values or participation in illegal activity by FDC staff will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal,” Walker told NorthEscambia.com on Monday.

Comments

13 Responses to “Sheriff: Alcohol Heavily Involved In Flomaton Double Shooting; Former Correctional Officer’s Bond Set At $1 Million”

  1. Just Me on February 4th, 2021 3:51 pm

    Don Henley wrote a song over 40 years ago that describes a lot of people in this comment section called Dirty Laundry…most of the comments are like they think they know what happened but unless they were there they don’t so let the truth come out in court with all the facts and then give others your opinion. Wait on all the facts and then you can express your opinion on the situation guilty or not!

  2. Vera on February 4th, 2021 9:34 am

    Praying for Scott and his family also the victims and their families.

  3. Shannon workman on February 4th, 2021 7:58 am

    I’ve known Scott all my life we want to school together and I sold him and his wife both cars both stand up people.there has to be more to the story please respect his family and wait and hear all the details before you run your mouth about my friend l.i assure you there more to the story. I will be setting up a go fund me page for his legal fees!

  4. sam on February 3rd, 2021 9:41 am

    it’s not the gun. that’s just a tool. it’s the person carrying it. alcohol does not mix with a lot of things. it is the main problem in a lot of bad things.

  5. 2nd amendment right exerciser on February 3rd, 2021 12:01 am

    @ Safebear
    I carry my firearm EVERYWHERE!!
    Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

  6. Yvonne Aden on February 2nd, 2021 11:01 pm

    I just want to say think about Scott’s family and stop putting things on here that will hurt his family and yes I am praying for all that in involved

  7. CCP on February 2nd, 2021 4:56 pm

    @Safebear. Yes, welcome to the south where there’s a gun owner behind every blade of grass.I’ve heard – not seen for myself, cause I’d never attend a church where guns were a part of the service – that some pastors with a CCP (Concealed Carry Permit) even have their pistols strapped to their sides, under their suit coats, while conducting church services.

    I’ve traveled halfway across the country many times with my own pistol in the glove compartment. It was legal in every state I passed through.

  8. Hmmm on February 2nd, 2021 3:33 pm

    @Safebear Since I assume you might be from California or something… let me introduce you to the South. Welcome!

  9. Yosemite Sam on February 2nd, 2021 2:30 pm

    So what really happened? Seems like they’re leaving out a lot of details. Was it self defense? Or does noone care to even know?

    Alcohol should be illegal. With the rest of the drugs. Marijuana never makes these things happen.

    @safebear I carry my gun everywhere the law allows. You never know what will happen. Nothing wrong with being prepared.

  10. Coworker on February 2nd, 2021 10:31 am

    I hate this happened, prayers for all involved.

  11. Safebear on February 2nd, 2021 9:42 am

    Who takes a gun to a birthday party?

  12. tg on February 2nd, 2021 9:07 am

    Everyone knows Alcohol and Birthday Partys dont mix.

  13. chris on February 2nd, 2021 8:01 am

    Good ole alcohol. Always making things better.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News