Headland man dies as result of police shooting

A 33-year-old Headland man has died Tuesday from the injuries he suffered during an altercation with police.

Two Headland police officers also suffered minor injuries from the incident that turned into an officer-involved shooting in Headland early Tuesday morning.

Henry County Coroner Derek Wright said Opatrick Fitzgerald Humphrey died about 3:35 p.m. at Southeast Alabama Medical Center. Wright said Humphrey suffered two gunshot wounds, one that grazed his chest and a fatal wound to the abdomen. 

Headland Police Chief Mark Jones said the incident started after police responded to a medical call around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Jones said police had learned a man had already assaulted two paramedics, and when a Headland police officer arrived the man started beating on the patrol car window.

“He snatched open the car door and started assaulting the officer, dragging him out of the car,” Jones said

Jones said as a second officer arrived on the scene the resident ran around the home.

“The subject started charging the officer,” Jones said. “The officer was retreating, and backing up, but the subject kept charging forward."

Jones said the officer fired his gun one time at the man, striking him in the abdomen area of the body. He said the man, who has not been named, was taken to Southeast Alabama Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition.

Jones said both officers were also taken to SAMC for treatment of minor injuries. He said the first officer on the scene suffered some minor cuts and bruises. He said the second officer suffered no physical injuries, but was “emotionally distressed.”

The incident happened just outside a home in the 200 block of Hollon Street near Jesus First Church, and a block off East Church Street in Headland.

Yellow police caution tape blocked Hollon Street on Tuesday morning as troopers with the Alabama State Highway Patrol along with agents with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) investigated the shooting.

Jones said the ABI has taken over the investigation because it became an officer involved shooting. He also said both officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, which he said was department policy.

“We’re a small community, but a big family,” Jones said. “Everyone involved is pulling together.”

Jones said when the second officer arrived on the scene the first officer had already fire his weapon one time.

Jones said family told police the man suffered from a mental illness, and had already assaulted a family member earlier Tuesday. He said medics had also apparently been called to the home on prior occasions.

“With someone with mental problems we try to take a closer look at it. Sometimes they get so far out of hand it’s hard to deal with it,” Jones said. “With this situation he’s already assaulted an officer. Unfortunately you can’t really make an adult take his medication.”