A man who was the subject of a “Blue Alert” over the weekend stole an Alabama state trooper’s gun and tried to shoot him, but the gun jammed, according to court records made public Monday.
Randy Lee Wade, 57, is charged with attempted murder, theft of property and escape. Court records list a Birmingham address for Wade.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Saturday issued the alert for Wade after authorities said he struggled with a trooper Friday night in Sumter County. Few details were initially released, but charging documents made public Monday chronicle the events that led up to the fight and the subsequent statewide alert.
The ordeal began just after 11 p.m. Friday when Trooper John Wright pulled over a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe for improper lights. A computer check showed Wade had six outstanding warrants, records state, and Wright was headed to take Wade to jail in Tuscaloosa County.
While en route, Wade began to curse and kick the windows of the trooper’s vehicle. The trooper pulled over at the Shell station on Alabama 28 in Livingston to try to calm him down, according to the deposition.
Wright asked Wade to step out of the vehicle and place his hands behind his back. A fight then ensued.
Wade, authorities report, grabbed Wright’s Taser and Wright then pulled his gun. He tried to fire, but the gun malfunctioned.
Wade then overpowered Wright and took his gun. The trooper got down on the ground.
Wade, charging documents state, then pointed the gun at Wright and pulled the trigger. The gun malfunctioned again and did not fire.
Wade fled the scene on foot, taking the trooper’s Taser and Glock 9mm handgun with him.
The trooper was transported to a hospital to be treated for injuries and is currently recovering.
The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the 17th Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office arrested Wade just under 24 hours later.
Marshals developed information that Wade was at a residence in the 1900 block of Millville Road in York. They went to the home about 10 p.m. Saturday where Wade was found hiding behind a couch. He was taken into custody without further incident.
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