By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

BIRMINGHAM – Authorities have released the identity of the man fatally shot by a Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputy following a vehicle pursuit across the Shelby-Jefferson County line in the early morning hours of June 22.

Isaiah Core III, 21, of Trussville was identified as the driver of a black SUV involved in the pursuit, which started at about 2:30 a.m. in the area of U.S. 280 and Bowling Drive and ended on Oporto Madrid Boulevard South in Birmingham, where Core allegedly tried to injure officers with the vehicle.

An SCSO deputy observed the vehicle Core was driving while patrolling an apartment complex off U.S. 280, where numerous break-ins and burglaries have been reported recently, according to an SCSO press release.

“The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on this vehicle and a pursuit began when the driver failed to pull over in response to the deputy’s emergency lights and siren,” an earlier SCSO release read. “The vehicle fled the scene at a high rate of speed and the chase ended when the driver exited Interstate 20 at Oporto Madrid Boulevard (South) in Birmingham, Ala.”

Once Core stopped the vehicle, sheriff’s deputies and assisting officers issued verbal commands to Core and his passenger to exit the vehicle to determine why they fled from officers.

According to a release, Core was “shot and killed by a Shelby County Sheriff’s deputy after he made a life-threatening attempt to injure officers with the vehicle he was driving.”

One deputy sustained minor injuries during the incident.

The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave until the incident is fully reviewed.

“Placing an officer on leave after a traumatic event is a standard practice and not a reflection of the deputy’s decisions,” the release read. “External and internal reviews will be concluded prior to the deputy returning to duty.”

Core was pronounced dead at 3:15 a.m. June 22 at UAB Hospital, where he was being treated for injuries following the shooting, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

The passenger, only identified as an adult male, was not injured and was taken to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for questioning, but has not yet been charged as the investigation continues. The passenger’s identity will not be released unless criminal charges are brought against him.

The vehicle Core was driving was reported stolen in Birmingham and displayed a switched tag.

A stolen handgun was recovered from inside the vehicle and marked as evidence.

“Shelby County investigators are in the process of gathering statements and evidence from several victims who are reporting vehicle break-ins and items stolen in the area where the vehicle Core was driving was first spotted,” an SCSO release read. “They will be attempting to determine if there is a possible connection between the two. Any additional witnesses or anyone who has information about this is asked to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office directly at (205) 669-4181 or through our website at www.ShelbySO.com by clicking on the ‘Report Criminal Activity’ link, and choosing the ‘General Information’ category.”

As per Shelby County Sheriff John Samaniego’s request, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the investigation of the shooting.

More information will be released after the investigation is completed.

“While I realize the circumstances under which Mr. Core died, I cannot help but wish his family my sincere condolences,” Samaniego wrote in a release. “I wish them peace as they struggle to find resolution with their loss.”

Samaniego expressed thanks to the law enforcement officers from other local agencies that assisted the SCSO in the case and said he was thankful they were not injured.