On Saturday, April 26, at the request of the Opelika Police Department, Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) launched an investigation into an officer‐involved shooting involving an officer with the Opelika Police Department. The Opelika Police Department responded to a call for service near the 1300 Block of South Long Street in Opelika within Lee County. Once on scene, officers encountered a suspect with what was believed to be a handgun. Subsequently, one of the officers fired their weapon, striking the suspect. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the handgun was a full-sized replica of a Beretta 9mm semiautomatic handgun.
The suspect, later identified as Charles Winston, 75, of Opelika, was transported to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital for medical treatment. Winston was treated and released and was eventually booked into the Lee County Jail. No officers were injured during the course of the incident.
Nothing further is available as the investigation is ongoing. Once complete, the findings will be turned over to the Lee County District Attorney’s Office.
