Full Notification

FROM: Sheriff Todd Entrekin DATE: August 30, 2010
Etowah County Sheriff’s Office

UPDATE: SHOOTING INVESTIGATION

An investigation is ongoing by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) after three deputies were involved in a fatal shooting on Sunday, according to Sheriff Todd Entrekin.
The deputies were attempting to serve a failure to appear on a felony drug warrant, at 12:10 p.m., at a residence located at 1319 Shady Grove Road, Boaz.
“A felony drug warrant, with a subject’s name and address stated, gives law enforcement the authority to enter and search property in pursuit of executing the warrant,” states Sheriff Entrekin.
When entering the residence, the uniformed deputies clearly identified themselves when 55 year-old Anthony Ray Sampson stepped out from behind a wall pointing a gun at them. Shots were fired, at 12:18 p.m., by the deputies, who then pulled out of the residence and called for backup.
The Etowah County Joint Special Operations Group (JSOG) arrived on scene, made entry to the residence and found Sampson dead.
Sampson had the capabilities to monitor the deputies’ movements and radio traffic from within the residence. A surveillance system and scanner was discovered in the home when entry was made.
Deputies were attempting to serve the warrant to 38 year-old Bobby Ray Emery, who also resides at the same address. Emery failed to appear for court in which he was to face charges for possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and reckless endangerment. These charges stem from an incident where Emery led deputies on a high speed pursuit into DeKalb County.
The ABI and Alabama Department of Forensic Science gathered evidence at the scene and has received a copy of the video from the deputies’ video cameras.
“Drugs were found inside the residence, including Mexican methamphetamine,” adds Sheriff Entrekin. “Packets of marijuana were also found, which appears to have been packaged for the purpose of selling.”
Evidence gathered will be presented to the Grand Jury.
Sheriff Entrekin says, “At this time, based on the evidence gathered we believe there is no reason to place the three deputies on administrative leave. They will continue with their regular work rotation and were scheduled to be off today and tomorrow.”
Other agencies who responded to the scene were: Alabama State Troopers, Sardis Police Department, Boaz Police Department, Gadsden Police Department, Walnut Grove Police Department and Mountainboro Volunteer Fire Department.

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