Person hospitalized after shots fired at Scottsboro, Alabama, courthouse

Shooting tile black background red circle
Shooting tile black background red circle

Authorities say a man was hospitalized Wednesday after being shot while trying to enter a Jackson County, Alabama, courthouse with a gun.

The incident happened around 10 a.m. when a man, whose identity has not been released, walked into the Jackson County Courthouse with a handgun on his side, according to a statement from the sheriff's office.

"After being refused entry by Courthouse Security Deputies, the man drew his weapon and was shot," the statement reads. "Medical attention was provided at the scene and he was later transported to Huntsville Hospital," but his condition is unknown.

A post on the sheriff's office Facebook page said there was no longer a threat at the courthouse, but that the building would be closed for the rest of the day. The sheriff's office is housed inside the Jackson County Courthouse.

photo Staff photo by Ben Benton / Jackson County Sheriff Chuck Phillips

No other injuries were reported. The courthouse will reopen Thursday morning, officials said.

"Sheriff Chuck Phillips wants to thank all the agencies who responded promptly to the scene to assist especially the Scottsboro Police Department, Scottsboro Fire Department and Highlands Ambulance Service," the statement reads.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said Wednesday the state Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident as an officer-involved shooting.

"Due to the nature of the investigation, no further information will be released" per state law, ALEA officials said.

Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.

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