On March 10, 2026, a pursuit of a stolen Kia Sorento was initiated in Scottsboro, AL. The stolen Sorento lead officers Eastbound on AL Hwy 35 towards Dekalb County. The Rainsville Police Department as well as Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office were notified of the pursuit and position themselves to intercept the vehicle. The pursuit continued to the intersection of AL Hwy 35 and Al Hwy 75 in Rainsville where the suspect vehicle collided with a civilian vehicle that was stationary at the intersection disabling the suspect vehicle. The Sorento came to rest on AL Hwy 75 just North of the intersection.
Rainsville officers along with the Alabama State Troopers and Dekalb County Deputy’s positioned their vehicles around the suspect vehicle and began to attempt contact with the driver later identified as Robert Parks 45 of Rossville, Georgia. While approaching the stolen vehicle, officers observed the driver present a handgun. Officers then took cover and kept the driver at gun point while giving verbal commands to lower his weapon and exit the vehicle. As more officers arrived on scene, AL Hwy 75 was closed off and nearby businesses were advised to shelter in place. Multiple officers from multiple agencies arrived to assist.
After a standoff of approximately forty-five minutes, Parks suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers and medical personal rushed to the vehicle and extracted Parks and rendered aid until an ambulance was able to arrive and transport Parks to Erlanger Hospital where he was in stable condition at last report to law enforcement. Charges against Parks are pending investigation.
Chief Michael Edmondson stated “This was truly a team effort from all agencies who responded to the scene. Our primary job in law enforcement is to protect the lives of our citizens and visitors in Rainsville. This is a situation you prepare for but pray you don’t encounter. We are grateful there was no loss of life and no injuries to any officers or citizens. Our thoughts and prayers are with Parks and his family during this time. I’d like to thank all law enforcement agencies, Rainsville Fire and Rescue, and the Dekalb Ambulance Service for their quick response and assistance in keeping the citizens of Rainsville safe.”
