April 24, 2024
UPDATE: A previous version of this story caused confusion as to the timeline of Tolver's previous arrests. The Index regrets the error.
DOTHAN — Shortly after attempting his second robbery late Sunday night at Crossroads Baptist Church here, a man was shot by a church staff member and later found in the church parking lot by police.
Dothan police reported Steffon Parreese Valentez Tolver, 26, entered through a back door of the church at 2574 Westgate parkway shortly after 10:30 p.m., according to al.com. According to Dothan Police Chief Steve Parrish, Tolver robbed one parishioner of $50 before attempting to rob a staff member. That individual drew his gun and shot Tolver, who staggered into the parking lot from a wound to the chest and collapsed. The Houston County coroner pronounced him dead at 1:18 a.m..
Tolver plead guilty to first-degree robbery in January 2011 and sentenced to 15 years in prison, reported the Dothan Eagle. It's unclear how much of that sentence he served. Tolver had previously been arrested in April 2010, that time charged with robbery.
Crossroads Baptist Church isn't listed on the SBC Church Search function nor on the list of churches in Columbia Baptist Association, based in Dothan.
