By The Associated Press
THORSBY, Ala. (AP) — A man was shot by police after he fired at the officers and wounded a K-9 officer, according to the Chilton County Sheriff’s Office. The man, who was awaiting trial on charges of firearm possession and resisting arrest, died at the scene.
Robert Earl Jackson, 54, shot at the officers during a traffic stop, then fled into a wooded area where the shootout continued, the sheriff’s office said. Jackson also wounded a K-9 after the dog was sent to find him. Deputies then shot him, and despite efforts to save his life, Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon told news outlets.
Thorsby Police Chief Rodney Barnett said his officers ordered Jackson to pull over Monday afternoon after he failed to yield to a pickup truck, almost causing a crash.
When the officers approached the vehicle, Jackson fired at “the officers without conversation or warning,” and continued to fire as he fled into the woods, Shearon said.
Tactical deputies and a K-9 named Missile arrived at the scene, and Missile soon found Jackson hiding behind a tree.
Jackson shot the K-9 in the torso and deputies returned fire, killing Jackson, Shearon said.
Missile is expected to recover.
Shearon said the shooting appears to be within departmental policy but will still be investigated, as all shootings by police are.
Jackson, a black man, was out on bond awaiting trial in Chilton County on drug possession, firearm possession and resisting arrest charges.
Jackson’s son, Jermale Phillips, said authorities had been targeting his father for weeks, and “beat him up” two weeks ago. Al.com reported that the sheriff said this didn’t happen.
