An Opelika man has been arrested on multiple felony charges after a shooting into an occupied vehicle in Opelika left a bullet lodged in the driver’s-side headrest, directly above where a young child was secured in a car seat.
According to the Opelika Police Department, officers responded at approximately 6:42 p.m. Friday, October 23, to a reported shooting into an occupied vehicle on Veterans Parkway near Water Street.
Investigators said the victims reported that a black Ford F-250 began following their vehicle on U.S. Highway 280 as they traveled toward Opelika. The truck repeatedly pulled alongside their vehicle before dropping back and following closely behind.
The victims continued onto Waverly Parkway and then Veterans Parkway, with the truck still following them.
As both vehicles approached Water Street, the truck reportedly accelerated toward the rear bumper of the victims’ vehicle. Moments later, a gunshot was heard, shattering the rear windshield and striking the driver’s-side headrest directly above where a young child was secured in a car seat.
The victims lost sight of the truck near Oak Bowery Road and immediately called 911.
Police said an officer who had recently traveled along Waverly Parkway reviewed dashcam footage from the officer’s patrol vehicle and confirmed it had captured both the victims’ vehicle and the suspect’s truck.
While traveling to the police department, the officer spotted the truck parked at a residence on North 10th Street. Additional officers responded and made contact with the vehicle’s registered owner, identified as 46-year-old Benjamin Walker Herndon of Opelika.
Herndon was arrested and charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle and attempted assault in the first degree. He was booked into the Lee County Jail.
Police said the suspected firearm was recovered at Herndon’s residence.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Tips can also be submitted through the Opelika Police Department’s mobile app. Anonymous tips are accepted.
