OPELIKA, AL – A tense and dangerous overnight standoff in Opelika ended in tragedy when a 32-year-old man was fatally shot by police, while a 2-year-old child and a woman emerged from the incident physically unharmed.
The situation unfolded late Wednesday night, when Opelika police responded to a report of domestic violence at a residence in the 3000 block of Wymond Drive at approximately 10:41 p.m. Upon arrival, officers encountered a man who was reportedly irate and armed with a gun.
Authorities said the man quickly barricaded himself inside the home, holding the woman and young child with him. The woman was eventually able to leave the residence safely, but the toddler remained inside during the hours-long standoff.
In response to the escalating danger, Opelika crisis negotiators and the Lee County SWAT Team were deployed to the scene. Officers attempted to engage the man in ongoing negotiations throughout the ordeal, but the situation took a critical turn.
“Negotiations continued, but the subject’s actions led to an officer-involved shooting,” the Opelika Police Department said in an official statement.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
Thankfully, the 2-year-old child was rescued unharmed, and the woman, who had initially been in the home, was not injured.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigations is now leading the investigation into the shooting, which is standard procedure in cases involving law enforcement use of deadly force.
This remains a developing story, and further details, including the man’s identity and the circumstances that led to the shooting, are expected to be released following the completion of the investigation.
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