Christopher Melton
by Teresa Eubanks, Editor
Calhoun-Liberty Journal
After a night on the run, the man wanted in connection with a Tuesday afternoon shooting at a Blountstown home is behind bars at the Calhoun County Jail.
Christopher Melton, 24, is charged with second-degree attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
He was found around 9 a.m. Wednesday at a home off CR 73B, about a mile and a half northwest of Shelton’s Corner, according to Blountstown Police Chief Mark Mallory.
“He was hiding in a shower in the back bedroom at the home of Cassie Crutchfield on Tyler Lane,” the chief said.
Blountstown Police Officers, Calhoun and Jackson County deputies and a K-9 team from Jackson Correctional Institution surrounded the home.
When Crutchfield answered the door, she admitted someone was in the house but acted as though she didn’t know him, Mallory said. “I think his name is Chris,” she told them.
After he was pulled out of his hiding place, Melton was brought into the living room and laid down on the floor.
“He said he just got dropped off there….they said they didn’t know each other,” according to Mallory.
The .357 Magnum believed to be used in the shooting was found hidden inside the cushion of a large chair in a bedroom at the home. Mallory said the gun had belonged to Melton’s late grandfather.
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Early Tuesday afternoon, Devon Sherrod, 20, of Bristol was shot in the hip in front of the Juniper Avenue home that Melton shares with his grandmother, his girlfriend and another couple, according to the police chief.
His grandmother called 911. Melton fled the area.
Sherrod was taken to Bay Medical Center, where he is in stable condition following surgery that night, according to Capt. Adam Terry of the Blountstown Police Department.
“He said the suspect met him in the yard and then shot him,” according to Terry. A teenage girl that both men had reportedly been involved with was also there. When law enforcement officers were searching the property for Melton, the girl was found hiding in a truck parked next to the home.
She was handcuffed and removed from the scene. She reportedly told one of the law enforcement officers that she knew she had an outstanding warrant.
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“They were roommates; Melton kicked him out about a month and a half ago,” Mallory said about the two men.
He said it was possible the dispute was related to “money and drugs,” noting, “Both sides had indicated there had been drug activity.” He said it’s thought the men may have been involved in a drug known as “Flakka” which causes erratic behavior. He said that no drugs were found at the home.
Sherrod had reportedly been staying at the Juniper Avenue home with his girlfriend. Since he left, Melton had been seeing Sherrod’s girlfriend, according to the police chief. He said another couple was also staying at the home. Everyone there denied seeing the shooting.
How did he get away? “We had a confirmed sighting of him at the Piggly Wiggly parking lot,” according to Mallory. “He admits making it to the store and claimed he found a buddy’s vehicle in the parking lot and took it.” Investigators believe he called someone to pick him up. Along the way, Melton, who was wearing only a blue pair of shorts, picked up some clothing. When he was taken into custody he had on a pair of blue jeans and socks.
At some point, Melton was in Jackson County, according to the police chief, who said the sheriff’s office has arrested one person who aided Melton in his escape and was talking with another.