Alabama: Man shot dead trying to enter elementary school

A man was shot dead after attempting to enter an Alabama elementary school and capture a resource officer’s gun, local authorities said.

Robert Tyler White, 32, of Bunnlevel, North Carolina, was identified by Etowah County Coroner London Pearce Thursday afternoon.

White reportedly approached several closed doors at Walnut Park Elementary School in Gadsden, Alabama, where a summer camp program was being held. The school went into immediate lockdown and the principal contacted the school’s resource officer, police said.

The resource officer confronted White when he tried to break into a marked Rainbow City police car in front of the school. As the officer approached, White attempted to take the officer’s gun. Other Gadsden City Police officers responded to the scene and White was shot and killed.

About 35 children participating in the summer camp program were at the school when the incident occurred. Another 22 children attending a Parks and Recreation summer camp were also on campus. All were reported safe and transported by bus to Gadsden City High School, where they were reunited with their parents in about 20 minutes, according to sources Gadsden times.

“SROs took immediate action, faculty in the building followed safety protocols, and all children present were moved out of the way,” said Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey Twitter. “I commend everyone involved for their quick action to protect these children.”

White’s motive remains unknown, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is investigating the incident.

The shooting happened just over two weeks after a gunman broke into an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, killing 21 people, including 19 children.

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