Manhunt underway for Alabama man accused of shooting 2 deputies
BIBB COUNTY, Ala. (WBMA) — Two Alabama deputies were shot on a highway Wednesday afternoon, according to Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson.
The shooting happened in the Brierfield area during the pursuit of a stolen vehicle and now, a manhunt is underway for 26-year-old Austin Patrick Hall, who is considered to be armed and extremely dangerous.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issued an alert for Hall at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday. He is described as 5-foot-9, weighing 169 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen near the Cahaba Wildlife Management area in Bibb County. The two deputies work for the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.
Hall has a criminal record with 72 different charges since 2012 including assault, attempting to elude police and resisting arrest. He tried to choke a corrections officer in Calhoun County in 2020 before being released from the country jail in April 2022.
The suspect is believed to have abandoned their vehicle and fled on foot, according to officials.
Residents in the area were told to be on alert for an armed and dangerous suspect.
At least one deputy was transported to an area hospital by ambulance and parts of nearby Interstate 65 were temporarily shut down to allow a convoy of law enforcement vehicles to escort an ambulance from the site of the shooting in Bibb County.
“They are still alive, so that’s a good thing,” DA Michael Jackson told ABC 33/40's Valerie Bell.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.