In Baldwin County, Alabama, law enforcement officials reported two separate incidents resulting in fatal shootings of men during traffic stops on consecutive days. On Monday afternoon, 41-year-old Drew Patterson Banks was shot by police while attempting to evade capture in Morgan County. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced that it is overseeing the investigation into this incident.
The incident began when officers from Priceville tried to stop Banks for driving a vehicle that had been reported as stolen. Rather than complying, Banks led law enforcement on a chase through several highways that involved officers from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department as well. Eventually, Banks exited his vehicle, reportedly brandishing an object that officers believed was a firearm. An unidentified officer fired at Banks, who succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Officials later revealed that the object was actually a realistic replica of a handgun.
In a separate occurrence, 24-year-old Logan Tyler Swanson was fatally shot by a deputy from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department during a traffic stop on Sunday evening in Robertsdale. Al Tolbert, the chair of the Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit, confirmed that an investigation is underway regarding Swanson’s death.
While engaging with deputies, Swanson reportedly drew a gun, leading to a physical confrontation. The incident did not clarify whether one or both deputies were responsible for the shots that killed Swanson, who also died at the scene. The investigations into both incidents are ongoing, aiming to uncover further details and circumstances surrounding these tragic events.