Photo courtesy of the Shelby County Sheriffs Office.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office
A Shelby County sheriff's deputy shot and killed a 20-year-old Trussville man near Irondale this morning after a chase from U.S. 280 in north Shelby County.
The dead man was identified as Isaiah Core III, a former star basketball player at Huffman High School who went on to play at LaGrange College.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office said Core was driving a black SUV "suspiciously" through an apartment complex in the U.S. 280 corridor about 2:30 a.m. this morning and then was driving erratically on U.S. 280.
When a deputy tried to pull the vehicle over, Core took off at a high speed, according to a press release.
The deputy pursued the vehicle along U.S. 280 to Interstate 20, where Core exited at Oporto Madrid Boulevard South near Irondale, according to the release. Deputies and assisting officers reportedly told the driver and passenger to exit their vehicle.
After stopping his car, Core’s vehicle reportedly made a movement backward, which was described as deliberate and “a life-threatening attempt to injure officers with the vehicle he was driving,” according to the release from the sheriff’s office.
A Shelby County sheriff’s deputy fired his gun and hit Cole, who was taken to UAB Hospital and pronounced dead about 3:15 a.m.
“While I realize the circumstances under which Mr. Core died, I cannot help but wish his family my sincere condolences,” Sheriff John Samaniego said in a release. “I wish them peace as they struggle to find resolution with their loss.”
The deputy who fired his weapon will be on administrative leave, which is normal practice for the sheriff’s office, according to the release. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation into the shooting.
The passenger of the vehicle reportedly was not injured and was taken to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for questioning. One deputy also sustained minor injuries.
The SUV Core was driving was stolen from Birmingham and had a switched license plate, according to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. A stolen handgun also was also found inside the vehicle, authorities said.
Shelby County sheriff’s office investigators are gathering statements and evidence from victims who reported vehicle break-ins and stolen items in the area where Core was seen driving. Investigators are looking to see if there is a connection between the two, according to the release.
Any additional witnesses can contact the sheriff’s office at 669-4181 or by submitting a tip at ShelbySO.com.
