GOOD: Man Acted In Self-Defense In Fatal Shooting - Lexington, AL

[CT-Mike]

Shooting ruled self defense | jacksonsun.com |

Yolanda Lancaster on Monday said the man who fatally shot her brother in Lexington Saturday night had once been his best friend.
Advertisement

Lancaster's 32-year-old brother, Tommy Dill, Jr., was found lying in the BP Major Market parking lot Saturday by Lexington police responding to a shots fired 911 call.

Police on Monday said their investigation shows the shooting was a case of self defense. They also identified the shooter as Fredrick L. Manis, 32, of Lexington. Manis was released Monday.

Police had held him for questioning since Saturday.

"He (Manis) was never booked in," said Lexington police Lt. Donna Hetherington.

Though the shooting was ruled self defense, a grand jury in June will decide if Manis will face a charge for possessing a weapon while being a convicted felon.

Manis and Dill are both convicted felons, according to police.

Funeral services for Dill will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Pafford Funeral Home chapel in Scotts Hill.

Lancaster said Manis was a close friend of her brothers until recently when the two began to argue. She said Dill was recently released from prison and complained that Manis didn't help him enough when he got out.

"They were best friends," Lancaster said. "Ten years ago at a club in Jackson, several people saw them get into an argument with two other men.

''Tommy (Dill) cut one of the men very badly,'' she said. ''He told Freddy (Manis) that either one of us is going to jail. 'You have a little boy Freddy, I'll do the time.' My brother did 10 years.

''While he was in there, he received write-ups and that made his stay longer,'' Lancaster said. ''When he returned home, he and Freddy started having arguments."

Two witnesses at the BP on Sunday said that Dill had a mask covering his face. But on Monday, Hetherington said Dill did not have a mask on when he was found by police.

"Freddy jumped out of the car and covered Tommy with his coat and called for 911," said Lancaster.

Dill was preceded in death by his father, Tommy Ray Dill, Sr. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Theresa Wheeler of Blackshear, Ga.; four sisters, Yolanda Dill Lancaster of Scotts Hill, Jennifer and Margaret Snow, and Sara Wheeler all of Blackshear, Ga.; two brothers, Michael Helton of Paris and Jason Snow of Minomie, Wis.; and a niece and nephew, Summar Tanksley and Ben Lancaster.

Man acted in self defense in fatal Lexington shooting, police preliminary report says | jacksonsun.com |

Lexington police have released the man they had held for questioning in connection with Saturday's fatal shooting at the BP Major Market parking lot.
Advertisement

The man had been held since Saturday night.

Police said the preliminary investigation shows that the man acted in self defense in the shooting that killed 32-year-old Tommy Ray Dill, Jr.

You can bet that Mr. Manis will be indicted on the illegal weapons charge.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[deadeye72]

Why was he not held on that charge to begin with. Isn't that a felony?