By Scott Buttram
BIRMINGHAM — Multiple media sources are reporting that a Birmingham police officer was shot and killed following an altercation at a convenience store on Bush Boulevard in Ensley late Saturday night.
“I left that scene a moment ago,” Matthew Cobb said via social media. “Officers were all over. Looked like a war zone.”
According to media reports, the officer accidentally backed his vehicle into the suspect’s motorcycle, knocking it over, which led to the altercation.
The suspect then chased the officer as he drove away and fired several shots into his vehicle, killing the policeman, witnesses told Carol Robinson.
A search involving multiple officers, helicopters and K-9 units ensued, according to the reports, and a suspect was taken into custody at about 2 a.m. in the Ensley area. NBC 13 reports that the suspect left behind his motorcycle helmet, which was used to help tracking dogs pick up his scent.
Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper said the officer had been with the department for about five and a half years.
The names of the slain officer and the suspect have not yet been released.
Police are asking anyone who may have any information regarding this case
to contact 205-254-1764 or Crimestoppers at 205-254-7777.
