GOODWATER, Ala. — A judge pulled a gun on a crutch-swinging defendant who went wild in a crowded rural courtroom after being found guilty of harassment Thursday, a witness said.
A police officer shot and wounded the man, who had a cast on his leg, after he lunged at the judge and tried to grab the weapon, authorities said.Struck by at least one bullet, the man was taken by helicopter to the hospital at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, where he was in critical condition.
Sara Williams said she was sitting in the front row when the man, whom she knew, got agitated after the judge fined him $800. He waved one of his crutches in the air.
"The police were hollering for him to get down" when an officer opened fire, she said.
Williams said she yelled "Don't shoot him no more!" right before the officer fired again.
Witnesses identified the man who was shot as Bryant Keith Ford of Goodwater.
Afterward, she and more than a dozen people stood across the street from City Hall chanting, "We want justice."
Witnesses identified the man who was shot as Bryant Keith Ford of Goodwater.
"This gentleman forced the police officer to shoot him. There was no reason for the guy to become as irate as he got. He went nuts," attorney Keith Warren said.
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