By Associated Press
GADSDEN, Ala. — A man who tried to enter an Alabama elementary school where a summer program was being held was shot to death by police Thursday morning, authorities said.
Gadsden City Schools Superintendent Tony Reddick told reporters that a “potential intruder” went to several doors trying to get into Walnut Park Elementary School, where a summer literacy program was being conducted for 34 children. All the exterior doors were locked and the principal contacted the school resource officer when she realized what was happening, Reddick said.
The resource officer confronted a person who attempted to break into a marked Rainbow City police car near the school, according to a statement from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. More officers from the Gadsden Police Department showed up to assist, the statement said.
The person was shot to death after resisting and trying to take the resource officer’s gun, the agency said. The statement, which didn’t mention any attempt to enter the school, didn’t say how many shots were fired or by whom.
The state identified the dead man as Robert Tyler White, 32, of Bunnlevel, North Carolina. Officials don’t know whether the man was a “passerby” or something else, Reddick said.
Authorities didn’t immediately release details including whether White was armed or why he might have been trying to get into the school or patrol car.
While the resource officer suffered minor injuries, no students were hurt and most didn’t realize anything unusual had happened, Reddick said.
“Our primary concern was just making sure that someone who wasn’t authorized to be in our building does not enter and our kids are safe,” he said.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey sent a tweet saying school police “immediately took action, faculty inside the building followed safety protocols and all children present were kept out of harm’s way.”
“I commend all involved for acting quickly to protect these children,” it said.
Gadsden is about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Birmingham.