Birmingham airport remains open after shooting; ABI to investigate incident

BIRMINGHAM, Al.
An altercation between a Birmingham police officer and a driver outside the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport ended with a man being shot tonight and a portion of the building closed off as investigators swarmed the scene.

According to police, the incident occurred after a police officer on duty outside told a driver he would could not park in the pickup area.
The man returned to the area, speeding, when an exchange again occurred between him and the officer, said Birmingham police spokesman Sgt. Johnny Williams Jr.
"When he came around the second time there was another altercation between the officer and the driver of that vehicle, resulting in our officer discharging his weapon," Williams said.
Williams did not specify whether or not the man attempted to run over the police officer, but he did say the officer felt threatened.
The man was shot in the face. Williams said the man's injuries were not life-threatening.
While the airport remained open, visitors tonight were greeted with multiple police vehicles, blue lights and yellow crime scene tape.
People downstairs were sent upstairs after the lower level outside and near the baggage claim area was restricted after the incident occurred at about 6:45 p.m.
Jackie Wheeler of Texas was just arriving following her flight when she heard several shots.
"I heard it," said Wheeler, who was inside the airport near the pickup area. "The airport employees took off running and we all ran."
Williams said the Alabama Bureau of Investigation is handling the case.
The police officer involved was assigned to the airport. Williams said he would be put on paid administrative leave as is standard during investigations.