Man Fatally Shot Trying to Enter Police Vehicle Near Alabama Elementary School
State police are investigating after a man was fatally shot Thursday morning after allegedly trying to break into a police vehicle near an elementary school in Gadsden, Alabama.
Amanda Wasden, a spokesperson for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, said at this time the State Bureau of Investigation believes the trouble began when the man who was killed was seen trying to force his way into a marked Rainbow City Police vehicle.
The car was parked near Walnut Park Elementary School in Gadsden, and a Rainbow City Police officer working as a School Resource Officer spotted the man attempting to break into the car.
Wasden said the officer tried to stop the subject, but he resisted and attempted to take the RCPD officer's firearm.
The ALEA spokeswoman said backup arrived in the form of officers from the Gadsden Police Department, and at some point, the suspect was fatally injured by gunfire. She did not say if the shots came from the Gadsden officers, the Rainbow City SRO or both.
UPDATE, 3:45 P.M.: Wasden updated media shortly after the first release, identifying the man killed as 32-year-old Robert Tyler White, who she said was a resident of Bunnlevel, North Carolina.
Some children were inside the school at the time of the incident, but Wasden said none were involved or harmed.
Now the SBI will investigate the deadly shooting and eventually turn their findings over to the Etowah County District Attorney's Office, who will work to determine if any criminal charges are warranted.