From the Office of DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden:

FORT PAYNE, Ala.- On Thursday, February 26th, 2026, a Dekalb County Deputy and the Dekalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit was notified by Dekalb 911 Dispatch that a male resident of Dekalb County had recently been brought to Marshall Medical Center South suffering from a gunshot wound.

Upon responding and interviewing the victim at Marshall Medical Center, Investigators developed a person of interest, and the Drugs and Major Crimes Unit went to an address on Road 9046 in the Whiton community in order to make contact with this person. After further investigation, David D. Lara-Duran (41 of Crossville) was arrested and charged with Assault 1st and Tampering with Physical Evidence. From the time the call came into the time of the suspect's arrest was a matter of mere hours. This shooting was believed to be an isolated incident. Homeland Security Investigators are also assisting in this case.

David D. Lara-Duran (41 of Crossville)

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident: "Law enforcement acted quickly and professionally securing the scene to bring this situation under control. Violence of any kind will not be tolerated in our community."

"God Bless!" Concluded Sheriff Welden.