Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a shooting that took place earlier this month.
Shermon Valentine Ranson, 38, and a 14-year-old male were arrested by Midland police and charged with murder Thursday evening for the shooting of 53-year-old Alfer Lee Hemphill on May 15. Hemphill was transported from his residence on the 500 block of West Cowden Avenue to Midland Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries that evening.
The investigation into the incident revealed that the 14-year-old male, who Ranson drove to the scene, entered the courtyard of Hemphill's apartment complex and fired multiple shots through his front door. As stated in Ranson's arrest affidavit, the juvenile suspect ran out the back gate of the complex after the shooting and returned to Ranson's vehicle. Ranson had provided the handgun used in the crime to the 14-year-old suspect and directed him to fire the shots in retaliation for a past drug deal Ranson was involved with. Another juvenile was also present in the car at the time of the incident and was driven to and from the scene.
The other juvenile who was in the car during the incident does not face any charges at this time.
Note: The Midland Police Department released Hemphill's first name as Alfred and his age as 54 at the time of the incident; during the investigation, it was found that his name was Alfer and age was 53.
###Media Contact: Public Information Officer Sara Higgins