A shootout in southeast Lowndes County last Friday sent two men to the hospital with gunshot wounds, and one man was placed in jail, according to the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office.

"An incident that stemmed from a dispute in Butler County earlier in the week resulted in shots being fired, and two victims taken to hospitals," said Sgt. Chip Williams, investigator with the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office. "The shooting occurred at the old "Tochmo Lounge", on U.S. Hwy. 31.

"In addition, a third subject was arrested and charged with assault in the first degree, and transported to the Lowndes County Jail."

"David Stokes, a resident of Butler County just south of the Lowndes/Butler line, was shot from three to five times, with what evidence indicates was a .38 special," said Williams. "He was rushed to L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital in Greenville, where he was stabilized before being air-lifted to a trauma center in Birmingham."

Williams said that as of Friday afternoon, Stokes was still listed in critical condition.

"David Anthony Sanders, age 38, a resident of East Chapman, also was wounded from a gunshot to his side, with a small caliber weapon," Williams said. "He (Sanders) also was taken to Stabler's Hospital, where he was treated for his injury and released."

Williams said that one arrest had been made in the case. "A third man, Kenneth Dewayne Betterton, age 38 of Georgiana was arrested and taken to the Lowndes County Jail, where he was booked on a charge of assault in the first degree, as a result Stokes' injuries," he said.

Williams said this event apparently was a result of an earlier dispute that occurred in Butler County. "All parties agreed that this began as an argument in Georgiana on the Wednesday before, " Williams said.