A man fatally shot himself Thursday after a standoff with law enforcement in Sumiton.
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith confirmed that his office responded to the area related to a vehicle theft investigation.
When deputies arrived at the home to speak to the suspect, there were some people in the yard and others, including the suspect, inside the home. Smith said the suspect was armed with a rifle and ran into a bathroom as deputies entered the home, which was on County Line Road in Sumiton.
The man barricaded himself in the bathroom as deputies retreated to the outside.
Smith confirmed the suspect had warrants from Jefferson County for probation violations.
“He said he wasn’t going back to prison,” Smith said.
The standoff lasted for five hours, including a portion of the time during a thunderstorm. After five hours, the man shot himself. Smith said three guns were found inside the bathroom with the suspect. He was transported by ambulance and later pronounced dead. The suspect’s name has not been released.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will investigate the incident.
