SPANISH FORT, Ala. (AP) – Police say a man wearing body armor, and armed with multiple AR-15 style firearms, opened fire into an Alabama sporting goods store, shooting off dozens of rounds before being captured by police.
Police said no one was injured in the shooting at Bass Pro Shops in Spanish Fort. Authorities described the incident as an averted tragedy.
Spanish Fort Police Chief John Barber identified the suspected shooter as 38-year-old Robert Smith from the Grove Hill area, WKRG reported. Barber said Smith is being treated for an undisclosed medical condition not related to his arrest. He said charges are pending, and police don’t yet know what motivated the shooting.
“He had three AR-style weapons, he had an AR-style pistol, he had a 9 mm rifle, a shotgun, and two 9 mm pistols,” Barber told the station describing the weapons they say Smith came with.
Police said the man came to the boat and ATV service area of the retailer and opened fire. Barber said they don’t have an exact count right now on how many shots were fired but they recovered at least 30 casings so far and believe they came from at least three different weapons. Police subdued the suspect with a Taser. An officer received minor injuries during the capture.