Armed man shot at Jackson County Courthouse still hospitalized as investigation continues

The Jackson County Courthouse is in Scottsboro, Ala.
The Jackson County Courthouse is in Scottsboro, Ala.

Authorities say an armed man who was shot by officers at the entrance to the Jackson County Courthouse in Scottsboro, Alabama, last week is still being treated at an area hospital.

Fred Swearengin, 72, of the Letcher community, was hospitalized after being shot Sept. 18 when he tried to enter the courthouse with a gun and allegedly drew his weapon when confronted by two officers who were manning the metal detector at the building's main entrance.

Swearengin remains in the hospital after undergoing surgery for multiple gunshot wounds, according to Jackson County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Rocky Harnen.

"He's had a second surgery on his hand," Harnen said Tuesday. "He's in stable condition."

photo The Jackson County Courthouse is in Scottsboro, Ala.

Investigators haven't released what weapon Swearengin was carrying, Harnen said, but he allegedly had a handgun in a holster on his belt with a full magazine and a round in the chamber.

Swearengin had four more loaded magazines in his pockets, Harnen said.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident. The state agency has not released any new information. The bureau will review security video from surveillance cameras at the courthouse entrance, officials said.

Meanwhile, no charges have been filed as state and local investigators discuss the case with the Jackson County District Attorney's Office, Harnen said.

photo The Jackson County Courthouse is located in Scottsboro, Ala.

An official in the Jackson County Commission office said a security committee made up of elected officials and staff who work in the courthouse will meet Monday to discuss whether any changes are needed. Committee members are appointed by Presiding Judge Jenifer C. Holt.

Harnen said he thought security measures and the officers working at the entrance "worked the way they were supposed to."

The two officers involved in last week's incident have returned to their posts at the courthouse entrance.

The last known shooting at the Jackson County Courthouse happened May 31, 2006, according to Times Free Press archives. That was when then-49-year-old John Christopher Lee Sr. shot down a 26-year-old father and 45-year-old grandmother of children who were at the center of a custody battle. Lee was the children's stepgrandfather. He was sentenced to two life terms in prison on two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

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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