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Taniesa L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News (Anniston Star)
PIEDMONT, Ala. - A Piedmont man was charged with murder after a domestic dispute ended with deadly consequences, according to officials.
IMAGE: Mug shot photo of Damien Michael Bailey, 42, of Piedmont courtesy of Calhoun County Jail.
Damien Michael Bailey, 42, of Piedmont, was charged and booked into the Calhoun County Jail Saturday after, it is alleged, the man shot and killed his girlfriend during an argument.
IMAGE: Photo courtesy of social media of Ashley Marie Leonard, 36, of Piedmont / Centre.
Piedmont police stated in a recent release that around 3:16 p.m., personnel arrived on the scene at the 500 block of Hughes Street in Piedmont on Saturday to find the victim, Ashley Marie Leonard, 36, of Piedmont / Centre, with a gunshot wound to her head, but still breathing.
Police say that Leonard was unresponsive but alive. Piedmont Rescue Squad and Piedmont Fire rendered aid to Leonard on scene and then transported her to a local hospital where she later died. She was pronounced dead at 7:28 p.m.
The release stated that the Piedmont police were aided in their investigation by Jacksonville State University’s Center for Applied Forensics. During the course of their investigation, police learned the couple were in an argument when, they said, Bailey brandished a firearm and shot Leonard.
Piedmont police Chief Nathan Johnson said Bailey called 911 to get help after the shooting and was apprehended on the scene.
In addition to murder, Bailey is being charged with possession of a controlled substance as well as drug paraphernalia. According to the release, he’s being held without bond pending the results of an Aniah’s Law hearing.
“Please keep the Leonard family and friends in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss of their loved one,” Johnson said.