(Update) December 29, 2015 - The Center Police Department responded to a report of a black male fleeing the Sleep Inn Hotel with a possible serious head injury on December 18th. As the Center P.D. Patrol Officers responded it was discovered that the black male who was identified as Dennis Barnes, 38, was a guest of the Hotel. The Center P.D. patrol Officers also observed that Barnes’ room was a possible crime scene and requested for the Center Police Department Detectives to investigate the incident.
Sgt. Nicole Faulkner, Detective David Haley, and Detective Stephen Stroud did process the hotel room, and observed that it appeared that Barnes did suffer a gunshot wound inside the hotel room. Detectives did find a 9mm shell casing and a 9mm slug. There were no signs of forced entry into the room. As the investigation progressed, Detective David Haley learned that Barnes drove himself to a relative’s home in San Augustine, and the relative drove Barnes to the hospital. Detectives Haley and Stroud did go to the hospital and did make contact with Barnes, who was conscious, but was unable to speak with the detectives.
Detectives Haley and Stroud were able to locate Barnes vehicle, and did find a 9mm handgun located in the vehicle along with several blood spots in the driver’s seat. The results of this investigation revealed that this was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
December 21, 2015 - The Center Police Department responded to an area hotel at 10:15am Friday morning, December 18, 2015 after reports of a man running from the business with a bleeding wound to the head.
Witnesses at the scene reported to Shelby County Today, the man exited the hotel lobby with a bloody towel wrapped around his head. An employee of the hotel pursued the man; however, the wounded guest would not stop. Instead he got into his parked pickup truck and drove from the hotel.
Previous to the police being contacted, witnesses checked the man's room and discovered a large quantity of blood within the room as well as in the bathroom.
It was suspected at the scene the wound may have come from a gunshot, but officers on scene did not confirm this information. Detectives David Haley, Sgt. Nicole Faulkner, Stephen Stroud and several patrol officers investigated the room for evidence and discovered blood in the parking lot where the truck the man left in had been parked. Detectives were seen leaving the hotel with several evidence bags an hour after they responded to the incident.
Additional information on this incident was promised at the scene by Detective Stephen Stroud and as soon as it is made available, SCT will post an update.
