Gunman Accused of Shooting at Ala. Officers, Slashing Police Car Tires

By Carol Robinson

Source al.com

A search for a gunman who slashed the tires of Hoover police vehicles Sunday night and then fired several shots at officers ended around 2:30 Monday morning when police took a suspect into custody.

The suspect, who police earlier said was believed to be armed and dangerous, was apprehended in the Green Valley area.

Police say more information will be released later today.

The ordeal began about 7:30 p.m. at the Hoover Operations Center on Lorna Road.

Police Chief Nick Derzis said an officer was leaving the building when he noticed a man in the parking lot stabbing the tires on the cruisers parked there. At least 20 vehicles sustained damage.

The officer yelled at the man and then went back inside to get more officers for backup. The man was believed to be armed with a knife and a gun.

As the officers began to follow the man, he fired several shots at them. The officers did not return fire, and no one was injured.

The suspect headed across U.S. 31 toward the Hendrick automotive complex.

Hoover police set up a large perimeter along U.S. 31. ALEA and Star 1 helicopters are providing air support.

Police searched for the suspect in the area of Hendrick Chevrolet and Star Lake, in the Green Valley area of Hoover - roughly the 1600 block Montgomery Highway.

A perimeter was set up and notifications were made to the local residents to shelter in place. Residents in the Green Valley area were encouraged to lock their doors, turn on all outside lights and alarm systems.

They were also asked to call 911 if they saw someone suspicious, but were asked to refrain from calling 911 with questions about the ongoing search.

An alert was sent to multiple residents in the area that read, “Hoover Police have an armed individual on foot in your area. Please stay inside and call 911 if you see or hear anything.”

The alert was sent beyond the area of immediate potential danger and was received by some people who were not in Hoover.

Here is why, according to the Jefferson County EMA:

The alert was issued by IPAWS Alert (Integrated Public Alerting and Warning System).

A polygon was drawn on a map and the alert is sent.

The alert was rebroadcast by any cell towers in the polygon to the tower’s footprint.

The size of the cell tower footprint on such alerts can vary by topography (the hills in the area). In addition, any residential land lines in the polygon are notified as well.

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