Three fights, including a shooting, happened at a local hang-out spot on two consecutive weekends, according to Sheriff’s Office incident reports.

The shooting occurred on Sunday, May 30, at around 11 p.m., at Lacount’s Auto Service, located at 2550 Old Whigham Road, which is commonly rented out for private parties. The alleged shooter, 24-year-old Malcolm O’Neil Spann of 2280 Dothan Road, Bainbridge, said he had been jumped on by a group of other men. Two witnesses working as security guards at the party said they saw Spann take the gun from his waistband, fire shots at another man and chase his target around the outside of the building.

On May 22, a 17-year-old boy reported he was assaulted by a group of males at a private party held at Lacount’s. The victim stated he believed his attackers mistook him for another person involved in an earlier fight and jumped on him. The victim, who suffered cuts, a broken jaw and broken nose in the assault, reported a group of his attackers followed he and his sister when they left in a car.

At around 3:20 a.m. on May 22, a 18-year-old girl reported being punched in the face by an 19-year-old former classmate while at Lacount’s. According to one of the victim’s friends contacted by deputies, another fight related to the first took place at the Earle May Boat Basin the same night.

The Lacount’s Auto property is owned by Johnny Lee and Portia Lacount, according to Tax Assessor records obtained online.

It has been the site of numerous fights and the source of repeated calls concerning loud music, according to previous reports from the Sheriff’s Office.

At least one person was stabbed during an altercation there in November 2007. A teen reported being punched in the face in the business’ parking lot in January 2008. A man reported being struck in the face with a beer bottle during a fight in January 2009.

Child seat belt tips

To start your summer vacation right, promote safety every time you ride in the car. Try these strategies to get your kids to buckle up.

Set a good example – buckle up for every ride. Preteens still tend to follow their parents’ rules and examples. Encourage them to be a role model for younger kids.

Use a booster seat for most elementary school age kids. Most kids need a booster seat until they are 4 feet, nine inches, a height they usually reach between ages 8-12. Seat belts are designed for an average adult male.

For a proper fit: The lap belt should sit low on the hips and below the stomach and the shoulder belt should lay across the middle of the chest and away from the neck. Never put the shoulder belt under the child’s arm or behind the child’s back as this increases the risk of internal injuries and head, neck, and spinal cord injuries.

Keep all children under age 13 in the back seat to avoid airbag dangers. Let them own the back seat and store their things there. Reward them: let them pick the radio station, if they buckle up right in the back seat.

And finally, remind all kids, teens and adults in the car that it’s the law to buckle up, so, “Click It or Ticket.”

For more information on car seats and children’s use of seat belts, interested persons may visit http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/childsafety.html online.