https://www.oanow.com/news/auburn/b...tm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialUPDATED 5:45 A.M. MONDAY:
Auburn Police Chief Paul Register stated during an early morning news conference that the two injured law enforcement officers are expected to recover.
He added, “this is probably the worst day of my time here.”
Register stated that the suspect, Grady Wayne Wilkes, was not someone who was on Auburn police’s radar.
Wilkes is still considered armed and dangerous, Register stated.
He added that numerous law enforcement agencies are on the scene helping to locate Wilkes. Agencies include the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Opelika Police Department, state law enforcement and federal law enforcement, according to Register.
No other information was available at the time of the news conference, however, Register said there will be an update later Monday, “probably this afternoon.”
UPDATED 3 A.M. MONDAY:
State police update suspect description:
"A Blue Alert is activated when a local, state or federal law enforcement officer in Alabama has been killed or seriously injured and the perpetrator is at large.
"The State of Alabama has issued an Emergency BLUE Alert. The Auburn Police Department and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency ask for your assistance in locating Grady Wayne Wilkes.
"Wilkes is a white male, 6’4”, 215 pounds, and is believed to be a serious risk to the public. Wilkes was last seen wearing camo clothing with body armor and a helmet at Arrow Head Trailer Part in Auburn, Alabama around 11:30 pm on May 19, 2019.
"If you have any information regarding Wilkes, please contact the Auburn Police Department at 334-501-3100 or call 911."
UPDATED 2 A.M. MONDAY:
One officer has died and two others are injured, at least one critically, in Sunday night's shooting in Auburn, a source has confirmed to the Opelika-Auburn News.
No identities are released yet of the officers shot, and the source asked to remain unidentified.
The three officers were shot while responding to a domestic disturbance at Arrowhead Mobile Home park off Wire Road, south of Auburn.
The suspect remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. Details below:
UPDATED 1:20 A.M. MONDAY:
SKIP AD
JUST POSTED from Auburn Police Department:
"On May 19, 2019, at about 1010 pm APD Officers responded to a Domestic Disturbance at a residence located in the 3000 Block of Wire Road.
"Once on scene officers were met with gun fire from a white male suspect, later identified as Grady Wayne Wilkes, age 29.
"The suspect is described as being 6’4”, 215 lbs., with brown hair, hazel eyes, and was last seen wearing shorts.
"Responding officers were injured by gun fire and were transported to local hospitals. Their conditions are not being released at this time. The suspect fled and is still at large. He is considered armed and dangerous.
"Citizens are urged to avoid the 3000 block of Wire and to report any suspicious activity to police immediately.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
Multiple gunshots were heard and residents were told to shelter in place as dozens of law enforcement officials descended upon Arrowhead I Mobile Home park late Sunday night off Wire Road south of Auburn.
The area was blocked off as helicopters and a massive law enforcement presence assembled into the early morning hours of Monday.
"I heard six shots, rapid-fire like it was an automatic weapon, and then there was a brief pause, maybe a second, and then three more single shots," a woman living in the mobile home park who asked to not be publicly identified told the Opelika-Auburn News.
Silence followed, "and less than five minutes later there were sirens, and they kept coming," she said.
The woman went out to talk with a neighbor next door when police officers began running up and down the streets, she said, and the residents were told they needed to shelter in place.
"I'm locked inside with all my lights on," the woman said on the phone during the incident. "I was laying on my floor, and now I'm in my bathroom."
Multiple ambulances also responded, witnesses said, with at least one later quickly exiting with its siren on.
Wire Road, also known as Lee Road 137, remained filled with law enforcement into the early morning hours Monday.
Auburn, Opelika, Lee County officers, with at least one unconfirmed report of an FBI presence were all reported on scene by residents.
The incident developed only a few miles from a similar massive response in February on Wire Road after an Auburn police officer was shot during a traffic stop of a robbery suspect and the suspects later were found in an apartment complex.
Officers from multiple agencies, including a special task force, engaged that night in heavy gunfire at Crossland Downs apartment complex on Stonegate Drive, off Wire Road.
The chaotic scene and sound of steady gunfire led to first responders quickly evacuating residents there and warning others nearby and across from the Auburn University vet school to shelter-in-place.
The injured police officer survived that incident and continues to recover, but the two suspects perished after the shootout and a fire in the apartment where they sought refuge.
Auburn University at about 1 a.m. Monday in the current police action issued a text and 911 phone alert:
"Massive police presence near Arrowhead Mobile Home Park off of Wire Rd, approx 5 miles west of Vet School. Avoid area until further notice."