Teen sought in killing

By Steven Jones
Tuesday, January 3, 2006 11:07 PM CST
The Selma Times-Journal
Andrae Norwood turned 19 on Sunday. Less than 24 hours later, he was dead, shot in the back on Minter Avenue.
“It shouldn't have happened,” Minter Avenue resident Mary Walker said.
Walker knew Norwood. He went to school with her nephew.
Police believe the shooter exited a vehicle and fired at Norwood in the 1500 block. About 13 shell casings from a 9 mm where found on the scene. Norwood was shot once. Walker said she believed the shooting occurred at around 5:30 and 6 p.m. in an alley just off the corner of Minter and MLK.
Broken police tape fluttered at the entrance to the unpaved alley Tuesday as youth in the neighborhood played basketball in the streets.
Police responded to a call from the area at around 7:30 p.m. Monday. They found a large crowd gathered around Norwood, who was found lying on the ground shot in the back. He was transported to Vaughan Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
Police are searching for a suspect in the case, Preston Nelson. The 18-year-old is hiding out in Montgomery, Selma Police Chief Jimmy Martin said. His last known address is 3015 W. Dallas Ave. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Martin said he believes others were involved in the shooting.
“I feel like this is going to lead to additional arrests,” Martin said.
Martin said his department should have Nelson in custody soon.
“We feel pretty confident we'll make a swift arrest,” Martin said.
Norwood, a Voeglin Avenue resident, was known around the neighborhood at the corner of Martin Luther King and Minter where he was killed, according to residents.
Some residents say shootings in the area have been on the increase, and they don't expect this one to be the last.
Chris Harrell, a Wal-Mart employee, said it worries him.
“It's rough around here,” he said. “It worries me with my kids. It used to be a pretty good neighborhood.”
Harrell said he's just going to trust in God.
“I just pray,” he said. “You've got all these different things happening: the tsunami, flooding ... The Bible is just revealing itself. It's a sign of the times.”