Montgomery police report recent shootings, announce arrests and 376 guns seized in 60 days

Chief James Graboys, chief of police for the Montgomery Police Department, held a July 14 press conference to update the public on multiple shooting incidents from July 10–14, recent arrests and weapons seizures, and the department’s ongoing investigative and recruitment efforts.

Graboys said the department began a homicide investigation after the death of 15-year-old Brentley McNabb on July 10 at approximately 2:41 p.m. at the 1100 block of Air Base Boulevard. He said units pronounced the victim deceased at the scene and the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) has been making “incredible gains.” “I am very confident that we will be holding an individual accountable in relation to this offense,” Graboys said.

He described two additional homicide investigations that began July 12 at about 3:55 p.m. involving Malik Benson, 27, and DaKeith Watley, 26. Benson was located in the 400 block of North California Street and pronounced deceased; Watley was located in the 1700 block of Upper Wetumpka Road and pronounced deceased. Graboys said investigators are following promising leads and he expects results soon.

Also on July 12, officers responded to a shooting in the 4100 block of Fitzpatrick Boulevard that left an adult male with life-threatening injuries who was transported to a hospital. Graboys said that, while he would not identify the victim, the individual was engaged in a violent felony when wounded and that investigators are pursuing criminal cases related to that conduct. Two other non-life-threatening shootings in the 800 block of Ann Street involved victims who declined to cooperate and did not want to press charges, he said.

Graboys also described an officer-involved shooting on July 14 at about 2:40 p.m. While attempting a traffic stop near Country Church Road and North Watermill Road, officers pursued a vehicle that led to a foot chase on Villas Lane. According to Graboys, the suspect fired at an officer; the officer returned fire and the suspect was apprehended. The suspect, identified by Graboys as Tavoris Burt, 21, was charged with attempted murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling; Graboys said there were no injuries. “You shoot at us, we are going to get you,” Graboys said.

Graboys provided departmentwide statistics and enforcement activity: 376 firearms seized in the past 60 days, with about half displayed at the press conference; CID has closed more than 112 felony cases in that period; he said violent crime is down 28% year over year and robberies are down about 40% year over year. He also said the department’s clearance rate was 56% at the time of the briefing.

On contributors and partnerships, Graboys credited the Montgomery Police Department, the MACS team, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, state road troopers and federal task forces for recent enforcement operations. He also announced a partnership with VOCAL and work with the Family Justice Center to improve victim communication and services: “Every time I’ve met with them, they are so helpful,” he said.

Graboys addressed community factors he said affect crime trends, citing repeat offenders released on bond and unsecured firearms in vehicles. He urged broader community involvement, including faith leaders and adults mentoring youth. He commented on legislation passed recently that, in his view, gives courts more discretion to hold some defendants pretrial; he described that change as a potentially useful tool if used by the courts.

On staffing, Graboys described active recruiting: an academy class graduating at the end of July, another starting at the end of July, and a larger class planned for November. He encouraged interested applicants to apply at joinmgmblue.com and said the department has been recruiting lateral transfers and former officers.

Graboys said the department will make information about the July 14 arrest available and that the police will continue monthly briefings going forward. He closed by reiterating the department’s commitment to hold offenders accountable and keep neighborhoods safe.