NEWS RELEASE

HUNTSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

815 Wheeler Ave.

Huntsville, Alabama  35801

Rex Reynolds                         Wendell Johnson

       Chief of Police               Public Affairs Administrator

(256) 427-7001                       (256) 427-7043  
 

      Special Operations             North Precinct              West Precinct        South Precinct
         (256) 427-7157               (256) 746-4111           (256) 427-5461     (256) 213-4503

Huntsville Man Charged in Hampton Cove Assault

Huntsville, Alabama (March 9, 2006) On Wednesday, March 8, Investigator Scott McCutcheon of the South Precinct arrested and charged Derwun Jervaor Kennemer, age 25, of Highway 431 South, Huntsville with Attempted Murder and Robbery 1^st Degree. According to Sgt. John Reed, the arrest stems from an incident that occurred Tuesday afternoon on Eastern Bypass and South Shore Drive in Hampton Cove.

Witnesses reported that the alleged suspect Kennemer and the victim Christopher Leon Strong appeared to be fighting in the vehicle as it was traveling. The driver lost control and the vehicle left the road and struck a brick wall. The assault apparently continued outside the vehicle. The suspect then left the scene in the victim’s vehicle. The victim was transported to Huntsville Hospital where he remains in Critical Condition.  Police are searching for the victim’s vehicle a 1994 White Chevy Caprice, AL. Tag 47V259V, the vehicle has heavy front end damage.  If anyone knows the whereabouts of the vehicle please notify Huntsville Police at 722-7100.

The investigation continues to determine a possible motive for the attack. Bail has not been set for Kennemer.