Executive Summary
- Opp Police are searching for suspect Amos Matthews following an officer-involved shooting Friday morning.
- The suspect allegedly exchanged gunfire with officers during a traffic stop before fleeing into the woods near Pond Drive.
- Authorities describe Matthews as armed and dangerous, issuing a BOLO alert for the surrounding area.
- The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation is handling the ongoing inquiry.
Law enforcement authorities in Covington County, Alabama, launched a large-scale manhunt Friday morning following an exchange of gunfire between police officers and a suspect during a traffic stop. The individual, identified by officials as Amos Matthews, is considered armed and dangerous and remains at large.
According to Opp Police Chief Kevin Chance, the incident began around 8 a.m. when officers initiated a routine traffic stop. Chief Chance stated to local radio station WAAO that as officers exited their patrol vehicle to approach the suspect, the individual allegedly produced a handgun and exchanged gunfire with law enforcement personnel. Following the altercation, the suspect reportedly fled on foot into a wooded area near Pond Drive.
Chief Chance confirmed that no officers were injured during the shooting. It remains unclear if the suspect sustained any injuries during the exchange. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation has assumed jurisdiction over the investigation into the officer-involved shooting incident.
Covington County Sheriff Blake Turman stated that a “Be On the Look Out” (BOLO) alert has been issued for Matthews. Described as wearing a red hoodie or jacket with writing on the front and orange pants, Matthews is the subject of an intensive search involving the Covington County Sheriff’s Office and the Opp Police Department. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the Opp Police Department, the Covington County Command Center, or dial 911 immediately.
Community Safety Alert
The active status of the manhunt indicates a continuing threat to the immediate community, particularly given the suspect’s alleged willingness to engage law enforcement with lethal force. Residents in the vicinity of Pond Drive and the surrounding wooded areas are advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid confronting the individual while the perimeter is secured. As the search intensifies, coordination between local police and state investigators will be critical in locating the fugitive without further violence. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
