June 15, 2025

One Person Arrested for Murder Near Fairhope

By Rick McCann
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News

June 15, 2025

BALDWIN COUNTY Ala. On June 14, 2025, at 11:05 p.m., the Baldwin County 911 Communications Center received a call about a shooting in the Fairhope area and dispatched law enforcement, an area fire department, and EMS to the address.

Deputies with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office also responded to what was reported as a domestic situation on Dominion Drive in the unincorporated area of Fairhope, Alabama.

Fire personnel and EMS staged outside of the area and when deputies arrived, they located two residents of the home suffering from serious physical injuries.
According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, both victims were flown to a trauma hospital in Pensacola, Fl for treatment.

During their investigation, deputies identified 38-year-old Ryan Thomas Smith as a suspect in the case.

It was determined that Smith fled the scene in a vehicle prior to law enforcement’s arrival. Deputies located Smith’s vehicle on Interstate 65, northbound in Baldwin County, and attempted to stop the vehicle. A vehicle pursuit ensued and ended on Interstate 65 in Escambia County, Alabama after BCSO deputies successfully utilized the Grappler System to stop the vehicle. Smith was taken into custody at that time.

One of the victims succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. The other person is currently being treated for the injuries that they sustained.

At this time, the victim’s identities are not being released to allow for proper notification.

Smith is charged with Murder and Attempt Murder and has been booked into the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Corrections Center.
Smith is being held on a No Bond, and additional charges are possible.

BCSO investigators are actively working at the crime scene, and we will have a heavy law enforcement presence on Dominion Drive for a large portion of Sunday.
There are no other suspects in the case and there is no additional public safety threat in the area.