Selma mayor candidate and State Rep. Darrio Melton has released a statement after two men attempted to rob him and another Selma businessman at gunpoint Thursday night.

Melton and Alabama Power’s Selma office manager Aubrey Carter were leaving Sturdivant Hall’s Barbecue on the Green when two men allegedly jumped out of the bushes and attempted to rob them. Melton and Carter ran and at least two shots were fired in their direction by the would-be robbers.

“Last night, I experienced firsthand the increasing prevalence of crime and gun violence here in Selma. Thankfully, neither myself nor Mr. Carter was seriously injured by the gunfire. I want to thank everyone who has reached out to send words of encouragement and well-wishes at this time,” Melton wrote in his statement. “Unfortunately, too many people in this city know the pains of crime and violence, simply for being the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s time for us a community to stand together and say enough is enough. The senseless violence must stop.”

In the statement, Melton said he planned to rest and be with his family this weekend.

According to Selma Police Chief John Brock, the two victims were talking behind Sturdivant Hall in a grassy area that had been used for parking when they heard something in the bushes. They saw two men moving toward them and one of them had a gun, Brock said.

“One of the men yelled, ‘Don’t run’ and the victims ran,” Brock said. “After they started running, they ran back to Sturdivant Hall and when they looked back the two guys were gone.”

When they took off running, the victims heard two or three gunshots fire out, Brock said.

According to Lt. Sam Miller with the Selma Police Department, the suspects were described as two black men in their 20s.

District Attorney Michael Jackson was still at the barbecue, which was wrapping up for the evening, and said he heard two shots.

“You could hear the shots. They were very clear, clear shots in the night,” Jackson said. “The sheriff’s deputies, they rushed out of the event to head over to it and then Selma police cars were coming.”

Brock said no one was injured in the incident.

Jackson said this type of crime is a “black eye” on the community.

“There were a lot of people at that event, including myself, in a well-lit area with sheriff’s deputies there and for these guys to try to rob somebody … things are getting out of hand,” Jackson said. “We are going to have to put these gunslingers away.”

The Selma Police Department continues to investigate the incident.

“It’s frustrating people trying to go out and have a good time and people take advantage of it,” Brock said.

Melton received the most votes in a five-person field of mayoral candidates and will be in a run-off in an Oct. 4 with former Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr.