Suspect in custody after gunfire, chase in Auburn

AUBURN, Al.
An Auburn man faces numerous charges, including attempted murder, after an incident involving gunfire, foot and car chases and an alleged attempt to run over a police officer Tuesday morning in Auburn.

Antonio O. Scott

Antonio O. Scott, 22, was taken into custody by Auburn authorities after a car-turned-foot chase ended in the Rustic Ridge Court community.

The chase began shortly after 8 a.m. after an officer recognized Scott, for whom the APD holds three outstanding warrants for attempting to elude a police officer, driving on Shug Jordan Parkway heading toward Colonial Mall.

Scott, who also had outstanding probation revocation warrants for escape and burglary from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office out for him, had escaped all three prior attempts to apprehend him, said APD Chief Tommy Dawson.

The officer, who knew of Scott’s tendency to run from and fight police officers, called for backup, at which time he pulled Scott over at the intersection of North Dean Road and University Drive, Dawson said.

“When the officer pulled his vehicle in front of Scott’s to block him in and got out of his car to approach him, Scott accelerated into the officer, causing him to bounce off the car … striking him in the legs,” Dawson said. “He (Scott) almost pinned the officer against his own patrol car.”

“At that point, the officer began firing at the vehicle striking it several times as it fled the scene as other officers in the area began pursuing Scott,” Dawson said.

The number of shots fired at the suspect vehicle is unknown; however, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation has been notified of the incident, as it is customary to investigate when a police officer fires his weapon in the line of duty.

Scott led officers to a cul-de-sac in the 1100 block of Rustic Ridge Court off University Drive, where he exited his vehicle and fled on foot. He was captured in a wooded area near HealthPlus Fitness Center, Dawson said.

Scott was not injured in the incident, though while in custody at APD headquarters began damaging an interview room, for which he will face additional charges.

The identity of officer struck in the incident, who has been a member of the APD for approximately a year, is not being released at this time, Dawson said. The officer, who sustained bruising injuries, was back at APD headquarters after the incident but will be placed on administrative leave while the ABI investigates, which is according to procedure any time an officer fires his weapon, Dawson said.

Police will review dashboard camera footage of the incident that shows Scott accelerating into the officer, but are not releasing it at this time, Dawson said. Officers continued to search Scott’s vehicle and the wooded area he was apprehended in for any weapons or drugs, Dawson said. None has been located at this time.

Dawson said the chase prompted memories of Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputy James Anderson who was struck and killed during a routine traffic stop in 2009. 

“Deputy Anderson did come to mind and we’re so thankful to God that our officer and Mr. Scott were not injured,” Dawson said. “It’s a dangerous job and a dangerous situation. A good police officer could’ve been killed today.”