Investigation of Chambers Co. shooting continues

Staff Report
Published: September 22, 2008

Charges had not been filed as of Monday in an incident that sent a Chambers County sheriff’s deputy and a suspect to the Intensive Care Unit at Lanier Hospital, according to information from the sheriff’s office.

Both men remained hospitalized Monday following Sunday night’s shooting in Chambers County.

Chambers County Sheriff’s Major George Melton told the Opelika-Auburn News Monday afternoon that the deputy, Sgt. Shannon Rollins, was in stable condition in the ICU at Lanier Hospital.

The suspect in the shooting, Noah White, 24, of Chambers County, is also in the ICU at Lanier Hospital, Melton said. His condition was not available.

Rollins, a Valley area resident, has been with the sheriff’s office for six years.

“He’s a nice guy,” said Robert C. Finley, who along with his part-time job as LaFayette mayor, serves as a Chambers County sheriff’s deputy. “He’s hard-working. He worked for LaFayette police and Valley police before (joining the sheriff’s office). He’s a real hard worker, real good on night shift.”

According to a release from the sheriff’s office, Rollins was injured Sunday night in a shooting that occurred after a domestic disturbance call.

At approximately 9:30 p.m., the Chambers County Sheriff’s Department received a call in reference to a subject threatening a family member with a gun on County Road 180, according to the release.

When deputies arrived at County Road 180, they were then told that the person with the gun was going to 23rd Street in Lanett, according to the release. When the deputies arrived at 23rd Street, gunshots were fired by the suspect, the release states. One of the deputies was shot, according to the release.

Chambers County sheriff’s deputies and area law enforcement officers located the suspect again in a nearby barn, the release states. The suspect fired at officers before taking a Chambers County Sheriff’s Department vehicle and driving it toward officers, according to the release.

After officers fired at the patrol car, the suspect exited the vehicle and was taken into custody, the release states. The suspect was later transported to Lanier Hospital, according to the release.

There were 86 personnel from various law enforcement agencies that responded to the incident, according to the release. The Alabama Bureau of Investigations in investigating the incident.

Three other officers were also treated for less severe injuries, according to the release.