UPDATE: DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Releases New Details in Suspected Road-Rage Shooting on I-59 Near Hammondville

FORT PAYNE — The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate what officials say appears to be a road-rage related shooting that occurred Sunday evening on Interstate 59 near the Hammondville and Valley Head area.

According to Sheriff Nick Welden, deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, along with DeKalb Ambulance Service and the Valley Head Police Department, responded at approximately 7:15 p.m. Sunday to a location on Alabama Highway 117 in Hammondville after a 31-year-old man reported he had been shot while driving southbound on I-59.

Authorities say the victim was transported by DeKalb Ambulance Service to Erlanger Baroness Hospital for treatment after the original scene was secured.

Investigators with the DeKalb County Drugs and Major Crimes Unit responded to three separate locations connected to the incident, where they collected evidence and interviewed witnesses.

Based on statements from witnesses and the victim, along with evidence recovered at multiple scenes, investigators say the shooting appears to have been a road-rage incident that took place on Interstate 59 southbound near the Hammondville and Valley Head exit ramp.

Authorities report that multiple rounds were fired from the suspect vehicle, and at least two vehicles traveling southbound on I-59 were struck by gunfire.

Investigators say they have developed a vehicle description and direction of travel and are working with partner agencies to locate the suspect.

Officials say the victim is in stable condition and is expected to survive.

Sheriff Nick Welden emphasized that road rage incidents can escalate quickly and have life-altering consequences, adding that investigators are actively working to identify and apprehend the person responsible.

The investigation remains ongoing, and officials say additional information will be released as it becomes available.