The Alabama Bureau of Investigation is looking into a shooting involving a Russellville Police officer. It happened just before 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday on Gandy Street in front of Concord Baptist Church. Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett says one of his officers shot a man, after the man opened fire.
On Wednesday morning, Russellville Police Officer Jake Thompkins re-enacted the scenario for an ABI agent. It was a scenario that placed him and two other officers in a shootout.
It all started around 4:30 a.m. when an employee from a nearby nursing home called police about suspicious persons at Hometown Pharmacy, which is located at the corner of East Gandy Street and North Hackberry Avenue. Three officers responded and confronted a man and woman in front of Concord Baptist Church. Authorities have identified the man and woman as 49-year-old Steve Jeffrey Cain and 37-year-old Regina Renee Cansler.
"The officers told him to back up from them and at that time he had his hands in his pockets," explains Hargett. "The officers asked him to remove his hands, which he did not."
Hargett says Cain refused to comply with orders, even after the officers used a taser to try to subdue him.
"He then fled on foot, pulling out a weapon and aiming it at the officers," says Hargett.
According to Hargett, Cain ran behind the church building and two of the officers pursued him. When the officers confronted Cain again, he reportedly fired one shot and Officer Thompkins returned fire, hitting Cain in the lower torso. Hargett says it was a tough position for his officer to be in.
"In these days and times, you just have to be prepared," says Hargett. "You never know when it's going to happen."
Cain is in stable condition at Huntsville Hospital. The Alabama Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that Cain is considered a person of interest in Wedenesday's incident as well as the Phil Campbell Pharmacy burglary a few weeks ago, where an officer was also shot at there.
In 2008, Cain pleaded guilty to driving the get-away car during a robbery at Elgin Pharmacy. Authorities say Cain didn't show up for sentencing and has a warrant for his arrest in Lauderdale County.
Hargett says Cansler is charged with attempted burglary of Hometown Pharmacy and possession of burglary tools.
On Wednesday morning, Russellville Police Officer Jake Thompkins re-enacted the scenario for an ABI agent. It was a scenario that placed him and two other officers in a shootout.
It all started around 4:30 a.m. when an employee from a nearby nursing home called police about suspicious persons at Hometown Pharmacy, which is located at the corner of East Gandy Street and North Hackberry Avenue. Three officers responded and confronted a man and woman in front of Concord Baptist Church. Authorities have identified the man and woman as 49-year-old Steve Jeffrey Cain and 37-year-old Regina Renee Cansler.
"The officers told him to back up from them and at that time he had his hands in his pockets," explains Hargett. "The officers asked him to remove his hands, which he did not."
Hargett says Cain refused to comply with orders, even after the officers used a taser to try to subdue him.
"He then fled on foot, pulling out a weapon and aiming it at the officers," says Hargett.
According to Hargett, Cain ran behind the church building and two of the officers pursued him. When the officers confronted Cain again, he reportedly fired one shot and Officer Thompkins returned fire, hitting Cain in the lower torso. Hargett says it was a tough position for his officer to be in.
"In these days and times, you just have to be prepared," says Hargett. "You never know when it's going to happen."
Cain is in stable condition at Huntsville Hospital. The Alabama Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that Cain is considered a person of interest in Wedenesday's incident as well as the Phil Campbell Pharmacy burglary a few weeks ago, where an officer was also shot at there.
In 2008, Cain pleaded guilty to driving the get-away car during a robbery at Elgin Pharmacy. Authorities say Cain didn't show up for sentencing and has a warrant for his arrest in Lauderdale County.
Hargett says Cansler is charged with attempted burglary of Hometown Pharmacy and possession of burglary tools.
