CULLMAN COUNTY – Officials with Alabama's State Bureau of Investigation are not releasing any details about Tuesday's officer-involved shooting in Cullman County. The incident happened on County Road 1223 (Old 31 Highway), between Simmons Grocery and the Morgan County line, near Falkville.
"At the request of the Cullman County Sheriff's Office, SBI is reviewing this officer-involved shooting. The findings will be turned over to the Cullman County DA's office," said Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Public Information Officer Curtis Summerville. "If any details regarding the incident are released, it (sic) will have to come from the DA's or sheriff's office. Nothing further is available at this time."
According to Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, at approximately 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, the sheriff's office received a call about an individual firing a rifle at a residence on County Road 1223. When the first deputy arrived on the scene, the suspect fired at the deputy, who returned fire, striking the suspect.
As of late yesterday, the suspect was reported to be in critical condition at an area hospital. The deputy was not physically harmed.
When reached for comment this morning, Cullman County District Attorney C. Wilson Blaylock said, "It will take some time for the ABI to do their investigation and for the written report to be submitted." Blaylock also said that he has not heard any update yet about the suspect's condition.
A somber Gentry held a press conference late Tuesday afternoon, where he spoke the of the incident, but also called on state lawmakers to do something about what he says is the lack of funding to support citizens with mental health issues.
"This is something that our deputies here at the sheriff's office deal with on a daily basis," said Gentry.
"All the funding has been cut. I think it's time that the state of Alabama realizes that our law enforcement officers, our deputies, are dealing with these individuals daily."
To view Gentry's press conference, see https://www.facebook.com/CullmanSense/videos/1212580612136965/.
Neither the name of the deputy, nor the suspect are being released at this time.
This is a developing story.
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