Auburn police officer dies after Sunday shooting, one man in custody

Published 11:38 am Monday, May 20, 2019

AUBURN — An Auburn was taken into custody Monday morning and charged with capital murder after allegedly shooting three police officers Sunday night, according to a news release from the Auburn Police Department.

Grady Wayne Wilkes, 29, was located in the 900 block of Lee Road 9 at about 7:12 a.m. Monday by Auburn Police and members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. Wilkes was taken into custody and charged with capital murder, three counts of attempted murder and second-degree domestic violence.

On Sunday night, three officers were shot when responded to a domestic violence call at a residence in the 3000 block of Wire Road. After the incident, Wilkes ran from the scene, triggering a search by Auburn Police, Opelika Police, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County District Attorney’s Office, USMS Fugitive Task Force members, FBI, ALEA, Alabama Department of Corrections, and a host of other local, state and federal law enforcement partners.

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Officer William Buechner, a 13-year officer, died as a result of his injuries. Officers Webb Sistrunk sustained severe injuries, according to the news release and was taken to Piedmont Regional Hospital in Columbus and remains in satisfactory condition.

Officer Evan Elliott also was shot and has been treated and released from EAMC.

Police say the case remains under investigation by the ALEA’s State Bureau of Investigation.