Sandy MaloneBirmingham, AL – Two police officers were shot and two more officers suffered graze wounds on Sunday afternoon after a suspect opened fire on officers who were serving a warrant in connection with two murders from earlier in the day.
Birmingham Police Sergeant Rod Mauldin told reporters that the series of incidents began at about 6:30 a.m. on May 16 when police found a man and woman dead in the 1000-block of Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard, WBRC reported.
The male victim was found on the sidewalk by Brother Bryan Park and pronounced dead at the scene.
The female victim was lying in the roadway with gunshot wounds and was transported to a nearby hospital where she later died, WBRC reported.
Sgt. Maudlin said the shootings happened after there was a disagreement over a dog.
He didn’t know the nature of the disagreement or what happened to the dog, WBRC reported.
Officers got a lead that the suspect – described as a white man wearing a red shirt and overalls – could be found in the 1000-block of 18th Street South.
Tactical officers were deployed to execute a search warrant at the address, WBRC reported.
Investigators said that when officers got to the door of the apartment, the suspect opened fire on them.
Investigators said the officers returned fire and killed the suspect, WBRC reported.
The gunman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Four officers were wounded in the gunfight, WBRC reported.
#Breakingnews : 4 Birmingham police officers shot and a suspect is dead. The officers are said to have non-life threatening injuries. @realtalk995 pic.twitter.com/EG4fHldK55
— Valerie Vining (@ValerieVining) May 16, 2021
Two were shot but their wounds were said to be non-life threatening.
Another two officers sustained graze wounds, WBRC reported.
All four officers were transported to University of Alabama – Birmingham Hospital for treatment.
Birmingham Police Department
Officer-Involved Shooting Investigation underway 1800 block of 10th Ct S pic.twitter.com/b6dGR7nVA9— SandyL (@SBrewY) May 16, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Birmingham PD today. @BhamPolice pic.twitter.com/ohiCrHC88n
— Bill Partridge (@ChiefBPartridge) May 16, 2021
Sgt. Maudlin said the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation would head up the probe into the officer-involved shooting, WBRC reported.
Police have not yet released the names of any of the wounded officers.
They also have not yet publicly identified the two people who were shot earlier in the day or released the identity of the gunman.
This is a developing story and we will keep you updated. For all of our updates, follow us on Facebook and go to your news feed preferences under your settings, then select that you want to see more of The Police Tribune’s posts in your news feed. Otherwise, Facebook may not show you updates.
Holly Matkin
