By Jeff Devine, Editor-in-Chief, Dale County Chronicle
DOTHAN—An Ozark woman is behind bars in Dothan and has been charged in connection with a shooting that injured a woman during an alleged drug deal Friday night in Dothan.
According to the Dothan Police Department, officers responded shortly after 10 p.m. on June 12 to reports of a firearm assault at a business located in the 3700 block of South Park Avenue.
When officers arrived, they discovered a female victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper chest. Officers immediately provided medical aid until paramedics arrived and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment.
Investigators determined that the victim and two other individuals had met with another group at the location to purchase marijuana.
Authorities said a dispute arose when payment for the drugs took longer than expected, leading to a heated argument between the parties.
Police allege that during the confrontation, 24-year-old Peyton Ann Kroger of Ozark pulled out a firearm and began firing at the group. One round struck a nearby business as people fled the scene.
According to investigators, after the victims entered a vehicle and attempted to leave, Kroger approached the vehicle and fired additional shots. One of those rounds struck the female victim in the upper chest.
The victims then drove to the roundabout at Campbellton Road and Taylor Road, where they waited for law enforcement officers to arrive.
The victim was treated at a local hospital and released later that night.
During the investigation, officers located Kroger and took her into custody without incident.
Kroger has been charged with one count of first-degree assault, two counts of shooting into an occupied vehicle, and one count of shooting into an occupied building. It is not known at this time whether her charges will be upgraded due to the severity of the shooting.
She was booked into the Houston County Jail and is being held without bond.
Authorities confirm that the investigation remains ongoing.
