UPDATE: It was first reported by authorities that the suspect had been killed. It has since been reported that the suspect has been airlifted to Huntsville Hospital where his injuries are unknown at this time.
SHEFFIELD-Two Sheffield Police Officers have been shot, one of the officers was critically injured. The incident began after a body was dumped near FAME on Avalon and a police chase ensued.
According to the Muscle Shoals Police Chief Clint Reck the incident happened around 1:44 PM after police responded to what they thought was a hit-and-run on Avalon Avenue. After responding they discovered the person in the roadway had been shot to death.
A witness at the scene was able to get a tag on the vehicle that dumped the body. The vehicle was registered to the victim. A bulletin was sent to all local law enforcement with the description of the vehicle. The Vehicle was spotted in Sheffield and a chase ensued with the vehicle returning to Muscle Shoals.
Brian Lansing Martin
The chase ended behind the Southgate Mall near Walmart where officers trapped the suspect’s vehicle in order to keep him from getting close to the nearby Walmart according to Chief Reck. At this time suspect exchanged fire with the officers hitting the squad car multiple times.
One Sheffield officer was critically wounded and transported to Huntsville Hospital. Another was not seriously injured as the shot hit his vest, Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry said.
“I’m asking for the community to pray for my officer and my department,” Terry said at a news conference later, his voice breaking. “He’s fighting for his life.”
The suspect was identified as Brian Lansing Martin, 41 of Sheffield. According to police records Martin was convicted of manslaughter in the death of his father in May of 2011.
The State Bureau of Investigation is expected to take over the investigation.
