According to Sheriff Jeff Shaver – an investigation into an officer-involved shooting incident is underway in Cherokee County.

At around 3:00pm Wednesday, deputies performed a traffic stop on Alabama Highway 273, during which they learned of a warrant for the driver, Brett Littlejohn from Cedar Bluff, and attempted to place him under arrest.  When the deputy reached into the vehicle the suspect attempted to flee, with the deputy still partially inside the window of the vehicle.  While he was being dragged several hundred feet, the deputy managed to tase Littlejohn three times with no effect; at that point, he was forced to shoot the suspect to stop the vehicle.  

Littlejohn was air-lifted to UAB Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Littlejohn was later transported to the Cherokee County Detention Center, where he stands charged with Assault 2nd Degree, Resisting Arrest, the Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

According to Sheriff Shaver, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division and the JSU Center for Applied Forensics is investigating the incident, and upon completion of that investigation, the District Attorney’s Office will review it.

Sheriff Shaver said “We’re thankful our deputies weren’t injured or killed while performing their duties today.”  Centre and Cedar Bluff Police Officers, Leesburg Police and Chief Brent Grimes, Leesburg Fire and units with the Tucker’s Chapel & Broomtown Fire Departments also assisted.