LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala. (WAAY) - A deputy-involved shooting is under investigation in Lawrence County.
Lawrence County Coroner Greg Randolph identified the man killed in the shooting as Shane Watkins, 39.
(Courtesy: Family)
Lawrence County Sheriff Gene Mitchell says it happened just after 8:00 a.m. Thursday on County Road 249. Authorities on the scene said they were called out to the home for a domestic call, and the person who was shot had an edged weapon.
Watkins' mother, Darlene Watkins, told WAAY 31 that her son suffered from schizophrenia and had called authorities to tell them his mother was going to kill him. She said Shane Watkins made the call during a schizophrenic episode.
Darlene Watkins said Shane grabbed a box cutter and went outside to meet deputies, despite her telling him not to go outside.
Sheriff Mitchell said Watkins charged at deputies after refusing to drop the weapon and was shot.
"I heard four shots and I saw him laying on the ground," Watkins said. "I tried to go to him and they grabbed me and said 'don't go over there.'"
Authorities have not released any other details. The Alabama Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation.
The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office said the last time a deputy was involved in a shooting was in 1999.
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