Shooting on HWY 75 near Painter Community

FORT PAYNE, Ala. - On Monday, May 18th 2026 at approximately 6:25pm Dekalb County Deputies along with Officers with Geraldine and Crossville Police Departments responded to the intersection of HWY 75 and County Road 3 in the Painter Community in regards to a shots-fired call. Investigators with the Dekalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit were also contacted and responded once Deputies on scene determined that a shooting had taken place and a vehicle had been struck by gunfire.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that at least two vehicles had been involved in a road-rage related incident while traveling northbound on HWY 75. It was also determined that the driver of one of the vehicles, a maroon GMC Denali SUV, had fired multiple rounds into the second vehicle's driver's side door. The driver of the maroon GMC Denali had then left the scene and went to an address on County Road 822 in Crossville.

Investigators responded to that address, made contact with the shooter and his vehicle and identified the shooter as Russell Nick Vanicelli (36 of Geraldine). After a search warrant was applied for and executed, other evidence was gathered from Vanicelli's vehicle and Vanicelli was arrested on six counts of Discharging a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle. 

Russell Nick Vanicelli (36 of Geraldine).

The driver of the other vehicle involved was not struck by gunfire and received no major injuries. 

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident: "There is never an excuse to let anger control you because one poor decision can impact multiple families forever. If another driver does something you don't like, slow down, give yourself and them some space, take a breath, say a little prayer and focus on getting to your destination safely. If the situation becomes dangerous, please contact law enforcement and let them handle it. The next day, when you wake up. Safe and sound, in your warm bed, you will be glad you made the right choice." 

"God Bless!" Concluded Sheriff Welden.