Holly MatkinMobile, AL – A Mobile police officer was shot multiple times during a gun battle with a homicide suspect on Monday night.
The incident began at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Nov. 7, when the Mobile Police Department (MPD) received a report of a shooting in the 800-block of Bryant Street, The Birmingham News reported.
MPD Corporal Katrina Frazier said officers responded to the scene and found 31-year-old Matthew Richardson suffering from a gunshot wound.
Richardson succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, The Birmingham News reported.
Investigators learned that earlier the same day, 20-year-old Zackery Hannah fired a gun into a vehicle with people inside, according to WKRG.
That incident, which occurred at the same location where Richardson was later shot, was not reported to law enforcement.
Investigators said Richardson was “intentionally shot and killed” after Hannah tried to shoot an unnamed woman hours later during the subsequent confrontation on Bryant Street, WKRG reported.
The woman was not injured in the attack.
Cpl. Frazier said the alleged gunman ran off into the woods carrying a shotgun, resulting in police setting up a perimeter in the Glen Acres community, according to The Birmingham News.
Police said they spotted Hannah at one point during the search and that he fired at least one round at them before running back into the woods, WKRG reported.
The suspect allegedly reemerged nearby and was ordered to drop his gun, but he ignored those commands and pointed the weapon at the officers, police said.
One officer was shot in the lower portion of both of his legs during the ensuing gun battle, WKRG reported.
Police said Hannah retreated into the woods again after shooting the officer and alleged he pointed a gun at a local resident before heading over to the 8000-block of Crowell Street.
Officers intercepted the homicide suspect and again ordered him to drop his gun, but Hannah allegedly pointed it at them yet again, leading to another shootout, WKRG reported.
Hannah was hit at least three times during the gun battle, police said.
Officers also deployed a K9 to help subdue the suspect, The Birmingham News reported.
MPD Chief Paul Prine said the K9 was injured during the apprehension, but is expected to recover.
Hannah was subsequently rushed to USA Health University Hospital and was later listed in “serious, stabilized condition,” according to WKRG.
Chief Prine said the officer who was shot was treated for gunshot wounds to both legs and has since been released from the hospital to continue his recovery at home.
Hannah has been charged with murder, seven counts of attempted murder, causing physical harm to a police animal, shooting into an occupied vehicle, attempting to elude law enforcement officers, and menacing, WKRG reported.
The officers involved in the shootout have been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation into the incident continues.
The Office of Professional Responsibility will handle the administrative review, while the MPD Criminal Investigation Unit will oversee the officer-involved shooting investigation, The Birmingham News reported.
Both investigations will be reviewed by the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office.
