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Multi-County Police Chase Tuesday Ends in Armed Standoff at Rainsville Crossing
- The Weekly Ledger
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Suspect Identified After Self-Inflicted Gunshot During Negotiations
T.L. Sullivan - TWLN Staff Report | The Weekly Ledger News | March 12, 2026
RAINSVILLE, Ala. — A multi-county police pursuit that began in Scottsboro ended Tuesday morning in a tense standoff at Rainsville Crossing after a suspect driving a stolen vehicle fired a gun inside the car and shot himself, authorities said.
The DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency issued a public safety alert earlier in the morning after reports of an armed gunman in the area. Rainsville Police Chief Michael Edmondson asked residents to avoid the Rainsville Crossing intersection at Alabama Highway 35 and Highway 75 while officers worked to contain the situation.
Shortly after the alert was issued, officials reported that the threat had been “neutralized,” though the north side of the crossing remained temporarily closed while law enforcement secured the scene. Businesses in the area later reopened, but exits onto Highway 75 remained restricted for a period of time.
Chase Began After Stolen Vehicle Alert
According to Chief Edmondson, Scottsboro police initiated the pursuit after a license plate reader identified a vehicle reported stolen out of Georgia.
“One of their license plate readers picked up that it was a stolen vehicle,” Edmondson said. “Scottsboro officers went to that area and were able to locate the vehicle, and the driver ran from them.”
The suspect, later identified as 45-year-old Robert Parks of Rossville, Georgia, reportedly stole a Kia Sorento from a gas station in Walker County, Georgia, on Saturday, March 7.
The vehicle’s owner, David Armstrong, said the theft occurred when he stopped for fuel and briefly stepped away from the vehicle.
“There’s my livelihood — I’m a single father of three. My money is in that car, everything is in that car,” Armstrong said. “My first thought was to run after him. I didn’t know the guy was armed, so probably not the smartest decision.”
Armstrong said the vehicle also contained his construction equipment.
Speeds Near 100 MPH Before Crash
Authorities say Parks led officers on a pursuit reaching speeds close to 100 miles per hour before entering DeKalb County. The chase ended after the suspect struck another vehicle at the Rainsville Crossing intersection.
Surveillance video reportedly shows the vehicle speeding through the intersection, colliding with another car, and continuing briefly before stopping near the area of McDonald’s and Taco Bell.
Officers quickly realized the suspect was armed.
“We both realized he had a gun, and we backed off and waited for assistance to arrive,” Edmondson said.
At the time of the incident, customers were still present at nearby restaurants.
“There were still folks in the drive-through with this guy sitting with a gun in his hand,” Edmondson said.
45-Minute Standoff
Witness Tori Pope said she was driving in the area when she noticed heavy police activity.
“I had my son with me, and I didn’t want anything happening to him,” Pope said.
Police attempted to negotiate with the suspect for approximately 30 to 45 minutes, issuing verbal commands for him to lower his weapon and exit the vehicle. Nearby businesses were placed under a shelter-in-place order during the standoff.
During negotiations, authorities say Parks fired multiple rounds inside the vehicle.
After officers deployed gas into the car, Parks suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He was transported to a hospital in Chattanooga and is currently listed in stable condition, officials said. No officers or civilians were injured during the incident.
Investigation Ongoing
Police say charges against Parks are pending as the investigation continues.
“This was truly a team effort from all agencies who responded to the scene,” Chief Edmondson said. “Our primary job in law enforcement is to protect the lives of our citizens and visitors in Rainsville. This is a situation you prepare for but pray you don’t encounter. We are grateful there was no loss of life and no injuries to any officers or citizens.”
Edmondson also thanked assisting agencies including local law enforcement departments, Rainsville Fire and Rescue, and DeKalb Ambulance Service for their response.
The incident remains under investigation.
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