A Lee County deputy was shot while attempting to serve a rape warrant in the Loachapoka community, and the suspect was fatally injured after opening fire on law enforcement, according to Sheriff Jay Jones.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:34 p.m. in the 900 block of Lee Road 188.
Authorities said deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded [1] to the residence after an investigation into allegations involving a woman who reported being held against her will and sexually assaulted.
Jones said the case began when a woman approached a school resource officer at Loachapoka Elementary High School.
She reported that she had been victimized over several days by her boyfriend, alleging that she had been confined and sexually assaulted multiple times.
The school resource officer relayed the information to the sheriff’s office investigations unit, which initiated an inquiry.
Jones said investigators gathered enough information during the preliminary stages to establish probable cause for a first-degree rape charge, a Class A felony under Alabama law.
Following the issuance of a warrant, deputies, along with members of the sheriff’s office FAST team and investigative personnel, went to the Lee Road 188 address to serve the warrant.
Jones said deputies made entry into the residence, where they were immediately confronted by the suspect, who began firing at them.
One deputy was struck in the arm during the exchange.
Law enforcement officers returned fire, and the suspect was fatally injured at the scene.
Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton identified the suspect as Wilder Cobon Gomez, 36, a Guatemalan national.
Authorities said a 3-year-old child was inside the residence during the incident. The child was not injured.
The wounded deputy was transported by helicopter to UAB in Birmingham, where a specialist was set to examine the injury.
Jones said the deputy was in stable condition and was responsive and speaking after the incident.
The Alabama State Bureau of Investigation was notified and will conduct an independent review of the officer-involved shooting, as is standard procedure in such cases.
In addition to the shooting, Jones said there was a collision involving a sheriff’s office vehicle and an Auburn Police Department unit responding to the scene.
Both officers involved in the crash were evaluated and are expected to recover, with no serious injuries reported.
Law enforcement officials remained at the scene following the incident as part of the ongoing investigation.
Details surrounding the suspect’s background, including the circumstances leading up to the alleged crimes and the confrontation with deputies, continue to be reviewed by investigators.
Jones also addressed the community following the incident, asking residents to keep the injured deputy and his family in their thoughts as he recovers.
The investigation into the events on Lee Road 188 remains active, with state officials handling the review of the shooting and local authorities continuing to gather information related to the original allegations and subsequent response.