By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal

A Fort Deposit police office is on paid leave after an early Monday officer-involved shooting.
The Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) is currently investigating the non-fatal shooting. While details are limited, Sgt. Steve Jarrett of the Alabama Department of Public Safety Public Information/Education Unit confirmed the investigation and that the incident occurred after midnight at a Coleman Street residence.
“Once the investigation is complete, the facts of the case will be turned over to the district attorney for review,” Jarrett said. District Attorney Charlotte M. Tesmer confirmed the “non-fatal” victim of the shooting is Travis Thigpen. She also said, “My understanding is the gunshot went through his arm and through the side of his body.” But she said she did not know his condition. Tesmer also confirmed that the officer involved “had been called out on a domestic dispute.” Tesmer said she got a call from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department and the ABI was called in because it was an officer-involved shooting. “The ABI will provide my office with an investigative file, and based on that we will most likely present the case the grand jury and let the grand jury decide whether or not any action should be taken,” Tesmer said. Fort Deposit Police Chief Brandon Thomas said he could not comment on the case. And Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office officials said they were not involved in the investigation. However, both Thomas and Fort Deposit Mayor Fletcher Fountain confirmed that the officer involved is on paid leave pending the investigation. The Signal contacted Baptist South in Montgomery but could not confirm the condition of the victim. No further information is available as the investigation is ongoing.