SARDIS, Ala. (WIAT) - An officer-involved shooting that claimed the life of a Sardis Middle School parent is being investigated.
Investigators say the situation began at the school Wednesday morning. The Etowah County coroner identified the man killed as Ian Sullivan, 54, of Boaz.
According to the Sardis Police Department, Sullivan was dropping his son off at school Wednesday morning when an officer was called to help de-escalate a situation.
"[Sullivan] was actually stopped at the school for driving the wrong way in the car drop-off line, and then he got belligerent with school staff, and so instead of confronting him in front of others, they called our office,” Sardis Police Chief William Alexander said.
The Sardis Police Department says Sullivan and the officer got into an argument at the school and Sullivan drove off with the officer following. Chief Alexander says Sullivan drove to his house on Lawson Gap Road where both Sullivan and the officer fired shots at each other. Sullivan died at the scene.
When asked if he wanted to say anything to Sullivan's wife or son, Alexander said, “I’m sorry that it came to that, but unfortunately, it happened.”
Etowah County Schools Superintendent Alan Cosby released a statement about the incident. It reads:
At approximately 7:30 this morning, administration at Sardis Middle School requested assistance from Sardis PD. A parent had become upset in the car rider line, and assistance was requested to help de-escalate the issue. Once the officer arrived, a dialogue began with the parent. The parent then left the school and was pursued by the officer. The students and staff were secure inside the school building, during this time, and were unaware of the issue outside. At no time during the event were students or staff in danger. School safety is a top priority of Etowah County Schools. We are ever so thankful for our partnership with all local law enforcement agencies.
Alan Cosby, Etowah County Schools Superintendent
Alexander says this is the first officer-involved shooting in Sardis. He says he stands behind his officer's decisions 100%.
"My officer is doing about as well as you can think of for something like this," Alexander said. "Fortunately, we do a lot of training and try to prepare for something like this in the hopes that it won’t ever come but unfortunately, sometimes even in the small town of Sardis, here we are."
The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office and Jacksonville State Center for Applied Forensic Science are investigating. The Sheriff’s office says when the investigation is complete, the findings will be sent to the Etowah County District Attorney’s Office for review.
The Sardis Police Department says no additional security will be at the school Thursday beyond the school resource officer.