Just after dawn, Morris Edward Hatcher, of 429 King St., was murdered, in an apparent car theft at a carwash on the corner of Jeff Davis Avenue and Church Street, yesterday morning.

The body of 37-year-old Hatcher was found at the gas station next to a vacuum cleaner station, according to Alan Dailey, Dallas County Coroner.

“It was just senseless,” Dailey said.

Police reports indicate that Hatcher’s 2001 red and white Cheverolet Tahoe, valued at $15,000, was the motive of the crime.

No witnesses were reported, and the car wash didn’t appear to have security cameras. Attempts to find out who owns the business was unsuccessful.

Floor mats from the vehicle and other personal items were found next to Hatcher’s body. Police believe Hatcher was cleaning the car when the crime occurred.

According to Dailey, the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences will perform an autopsy at a later date. Hatcher was self-employed, and ran a lawn care business, according to reports.

Hatcher’s death marks the 10th murder in the Selma police jurisdiction this year.

“That’s not a statistic you want to be proud of,” Dailey said.

The ninth murder occurred in September, when an Orrville man, Norris Lavoy Dragg, 23, was killed after an argument with Oscar Murray and his underage brother, who were later arrested in connection with the crime. The murder occurred near the corner of L.L. Anderson Avenue and Mabry Street.

Police also investigated two other shootings early Saturday morning.

McAuthor Hale, of 1717 Lauderdale St. reported an assailant discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Union Street. The rear window of his 1998 Mitsubishi green SUV was damaged. The shooting occurred at 1:39 a.m.

Cleophus Craig reported a robbery and the discharging of a firearm into an occupied dwelling on Pollard Ave. The suspects, according to reports, drove a red and white van and stole $300 from her.

Attempts to contact Police Chief Robert Green were unsuccessful.