Sandy MaloneGadsden, AL – A school resource officer fatally shot an armed man on Thursday morning who was trying to get into an Alabama elementary school.
Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick told WBMA the incident occurred at Walnut Park Elementary School in Gadsden on June 9.
Reddick said a man tried to get into the Etowah County elementary school and went from door-to-door trying aggressively gain entry.
There were summer school programs underway and children on the school’s campus.
Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick told reporters that a “potential intruder” went to several doors trying to get into Walnut Park Elementary School, where a summer literacy program was being conducted for 34 children. All the exterior doors were already locked.
— Gary (@Bob99490007) June 9, 2022
The superintendent said that school principal saw what was happening and ordered a lockdown, WBMA reported.
Then the principal called the school resource officer who was on campus for help.
The school resource officer was an off-duty Rainbow City police officer, the Associated Press reported.
Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton told The Gadsden Times that the officer called for backup and then confronted the armed suspect outside the school building.
Sheriff Horton said there was an altercation and the suspect was fatally shot.
The sheriff said the hero from the Rainbow City Police Department suffered minor injuries as a result of the incident, the Associated Press reported.
Sheriff Horton said no children were hurt during the exchange.
Reddick announced that “all kids are out” of the school building early Thursday afternoon, the Associated Press reported.
Officials have not yet released the identity of the gunman, nor have they identified a motive.
JUST IN: Suspicious person attempting to break into Walnut Park Elementary School in Alabama shot and killed by police – The Gadsden Times
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) June 9, 2022
#Alabama – Fatal police shooting incident in #Gadsden after a “suspicious person” is seen attempting to enter Walnut Park Elementary School, investigation is underway; Etowah County Sheriff's Office sayspic.twitter.com/WjMMxDm3kG
— CyclistAnons (@CyclistAnons) June 9, 2022
Just in…
A school resource officer shot and killed a suspect near the Walnut Park Elementary School in Gadsden, Alabama pic.twitter.com/V39vv5Wacx— California USA (@CaliforniaSt_) June 9, 2022
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Holly Matkin
