3 dead in shootings at house parties in Alabama

LOACHAPOKA, Ala. — Three people are dead and three others injured because of weekend house parties in Alabama that erupted in gunfire.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office announced that officers were questioning an 18-year-old about the two killings at a house party Friday night in Loachapoka.

Sheriff Jay Jones said there was a disagreement at the party shortly before midnight. “The next thing you know this fellow comes up and opens fire on them,” he said.

Lee County Coroner Bill Harris said 24-year-old Lamar Shanks of Opelika and 44-year-old Lamar Curtis Lockhart of Auburn were killed. The homeowner, Saoona Frazier, had a bullet graze her arm. About 15 to 20 people were at the party when the shootings occurred.

In New Hope in north Alabama, police said 23-year-old Timothy Goldsmith is charged with one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder after shooting into a party he was asked to leave Friday night.

Madison County Coroner Craig Whisenant told WAAY-TV that 20-year-old Joel Coleman was killed. Two others were treated at a hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Andrew Walters said the party was at his home to celebrate his 21st birthday. G oldsmith was asked to leave the party because of an ongoing dispute with Walters’ friend, Jacob Anders.

Anders said Goldsmith returned about 30 minutes later wearing a ski mask and started firing randomly with a rifle.

“I knew I was about to get shot by something, so I dove into the back door and yelled, ‘Tim is trying to kill us,” Anders said.

Court records do not indicate if Goldsmith has an attorney.