Bystanders help officer subdue wanted man

Published 9:16 am Thursday, March 8, 2018

HOOVER – Two bystanders helped a Hoover Police Department officer subdue a Huntsville man who was allegedly reaching for a handgun following a traffic stop.

Trotman-El

At about 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle was it was pulling into the U.S. 280 Walmart parking lot.

“The driver was immediately uncooperative—exiting his vehicle and then re-entering and reaching for the center console,” according to a press release from Hoover Police Department. “A physical altercation ensued when the officer realized the suspect was reaching for a handgun. The struggle continued until two citizens came to the aid of the officer, helping him subdue the suspect.”

The officer sustained a bite wound on his arm and was treated and released from Brookwood Baptist Medical Center Freestanding Emergency Department.

Further investigation revealed the suspect was wanted for a probation violation on an aggravated assault case from Dekalb County, Georgia, according to police.

The handgun in his possession was also stolen from Huntsville, according to police.

Patrick Earl Trotman-El, 33, of Huntsville has been charged with second-degree assault, certain persons forbidden to possess pistol, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental operations.

The suspect is being held at the Shelby County Jail with bond totaling $33,500.