72-year-old charged in weekend shooting of man, woman in Shelby County
James Troy Wafford, of Wilsonville, on Monday was charged with two counts of first-degree assault. He is being held in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $150,000.
Ethan Parker 
A 72-year-old Wilsonville man is in custody following a violent weekend shooting in Shelby County that left two people injured. James Troy Wafford was taken into police custody Monday and officially charged with two counts of first-degree assault.
The Investigation
Authorities were alerted to the scene just after 9 p.m. Saturday when Shelby County 911 received a call from Cherokee Drive in Wilsonville. A female victim had fled to a nearby residence seeking help after suffering a gunshot wound to the head, which resulted in an ear injury.
Deputies arrived to find the woman, who was able to provide critical information before being transported to UAB Hospital by ambulance. That information led investigators to a second location, where they discovered an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder. That victim required emergency surgery to remove the bullet and was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham.
Wafford, who lists an address on the same street where the shootings occurred, was identified as a person of interest and was located by deputies at the scene.
Official Response
Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego noted the complexity of the scene, which spanned multiple locations. "I am deeply grateful to the community members who called for emergency assistance, and to our deputies and first responders who worked seamlessly to provide life-saving medical care while deputies quickly took the suspect into custody," Samaniego said. "My thoughts and prayers are with the victims as they begin their recovery."
Wafford remains in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $150,000. While a motive and the relationship between the suspect and victims remain undisclosed, the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Investigator Cunningham at 205-670-6172 or via email at bcunningham@shelbyso.com. Anonymous tips can also be reported to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777 or online at www.crimestoppersmetroal.com.
