Suspect dies after shooting involving officer in Bay Minette

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (WALA) – One person has died following a shooting involving an officer in Bay Minette on Saturday morning, authorities say.

Officers converged on the scene on Lower Street in the community of Douglasville. Authorities said the incident began shortly before 10:30 a.m. when a Bay Minette police officer conducted a traffic stop. The officer asked the driver of the vehicle, identified as Otis French Jr., to exit the vehicle so the officer could show him the equipment violation and issue a warning to French for the violation.

The preliminary investigation indicates that after French exited the vehicle, he did not comply with the officer’s instructions and became combative, which led to a fight, officials said. The officer was pushed to the ground and French fled. The officer caught up to him and tried to use a stun gun on him, but it was ineffective and they fought again, authorities said. After the men fell to the ground, French snatched the stun gun from the officer and used it on him. The officer then shot French, authorities said.

Some neighbors said they heard gunshots.

“I’m sorry this happened,” one man said. “That doesn’t happen often in our neighborhood. It scared my son, and it scared me. Had fear.”

French was taken to a local hospital where he died.

The officer was treated for minor injuries and released. He was placed on administrative leave until the end of the investigation.

The Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident at the request of the Bay Minette Police Department and remained at the scene for several hours.

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