In the small city of Ozark, Alabama, the evening of June 8, 2026, was shattered by an act of violence that claimed the life of a local man. Dionne "Junior" Stanford, a 41-year-old resident, was found unresponsive on the front porch of a residence in the 600 block of Magnolia Avenue. He had sustained at least one gunshot wound to his upper torso. Emergency services arrived quickly at the scene, and deputies immediately began to render aid.
Stanford was rushed to a local hospital by Ozark EMS and Fire personnel, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries later that evening. His death was officially confirmed by the Dale County Coroner, John Cawley.
The Ozark Police Department, with assistance from the Dale County Sheriff's Office, launched a thorough investigation into the fatal shooting. Within hours, their diligent work led them to a person of interest. Investigators identified a silver Ford F-150 believed to be connected to the incident. The vehicle was located on U.S. 231 near Bivins Drive, and the driver, who matched a description obtained during the investigation, was taken into custody for questioning. The individual was identified as 32-year-old Jamaree Raquis Beaty, also of Ozark. Following an interview with investigators, Beaty was arrested and charged with the murder of Dionne Stanford.
In a significant development, authorities reported that Jamaree Raquis Beaty cooperated with the investigation and led them to the location where he had allegedly discarded the firearm used in the shooting. The weapon was recovered the following morning in a dense, overgrown field, with the assistance of the Ozark Public Works Department, and was taken into evidence. Beaty was subsequently booked into the Dale County Jail. The investigation into the motive behind the shooting is ongoing, and as the case proceeds through the legal system, further details are expected to emerge. The community of Ozark was left to mourn the loss of Dionne Stanford, a man remembered by his family and friends, as they await the full course of justice in this case.
