Walker County Sheriff’s Deputy Fatally Shoots Empire Man

A Walker County Sheriff's deputy fatally shot a man at a home in Empire, Alabama Friday night during a domestic violence call.

In a post to Facebook Friday night, the sheriff's office confirmed the officer-involved shooting and said one suspect had been killed.

In the hours that followed, a video shot inside the home began to circulate, showing the deputy wrestling with the suspect before drawing his handgun and shooting him.

Get our free mobile app

The video has sparked controversy, with viewers questioning why the deputy was alone and why he resorted to deadly force.

In a Saturday night statement, Sheriff Nick Smith said the video only shows a fraction of what took place Friday night and assured readers that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will conduct an impartial investigation into the shooting.

Smith said the deputy who fired the deadly shot has been on the force for more than 20 years, and that the case will be presented to a grand jury to decide if charges should be pressed against the deputy.

Smith asked that residents wait for the results of the investigation, and vowed to share its findings on social media when it is concluded.

Read Smith's full statement below.