Alabama police shooting: 1 officer killed, 2 injured in Auburn; suspect captured

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

A police officer died and two others were injured after they responded to a domestic violence call late Sunday at an Alabama mobile home park, according to multiple reports.

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After an hours-long manhunt, authorities arrested Grady Wayne Wilkes, 29, on charges connected to the shooting.

The slain officer was identified as William Buechner, WSFA reported. The news station reported the injured officers were identified as Webb Sistrunk and Evan Elliott.

Here are the latest updates:

Update 1:30 p.m. EDT May 20: Auburn police Chief Paul Register said early Monday that the two officers injured in Sunday's shooting were expected to recover.

"This is probably the worst day of my time here," Register said. "Words cannot express the loss for this family, our family and this community."

One of the injured officers, identified as K-9 Officer Webb Sistrunk, was being treated Monday at a hospital in Columbus, Georgia, WMBA reported. The other officer, identified as Officer Evan Elliott, was treated for his injuries and released, according to the news network.

Authorities on Monday arrested Grady Wayne Wilkes on charges including capital murder, WMBA reported.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey decried the violence.

"This is so tragic and so useless. I'm just heartbroken," she said Monday during an appearance in Montgomery.

Update 12:40 p.m. EDT May 20: Police on Monday identified the slain officer as William Buechner, a 13-year veteran of the Auburn Police Department, WBMA reported.

Police Chief Paul Register identified the injured officers as Webb Sistrunk and Evan Elliott, AL.com reported.

Authorities earlier Monday arrested Grady Wayne Wilkes, 29, the man suspected of shooting the officers. Officials continue to investigate.

Update 8:32 a.m. EDT May 20: Police have apprehended the man accused of fatally shooting one police officer and injuring two others late Sunday at an Auburn mobile home park.

According to WVTM reporter Sarah Killian, Grady Wayne Wilkes, 29, was captured Monday.

 

Original report: According to the Opelika-Auburn News, a white man opened fire just after 10 p.m. Sunday as Auburn police officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at a mobile home park.

 

"Responding officers were injured by gunfire and were transported to local hospitals," Auburn police said in a news release.

Although authorities have not release the officers' names or conditions, the Opelika-Auburn News reported that one died and two more were seriously injured.

Police said the suspect, Grady Wayne Wilkes, 29, is on the run. He is described as a 6-foot-4, 215-pound white male with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was wearing body armor, camo clothing and a helmet.

Wilkes is believed to be “armed and dangerous,” authorities said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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