A man claiming to have a “portal to Hell’’ is under arrest after reportedly shooting at Walker County sheriff’s deputies.
Deputies responded Thursday afternoon to Lost Creek Road near Carbon Hill on a welfare check after family members of a man feared he could harm himself or someone else. The man claimed to have a “portal to hell,’’ said Walker County sheriff’s spokesman T.J. Armstrong.
When deputies arrived on the scene, authorities said, Anthony Mitchell pulled a handgun and fired on them. Deputies did not return fire.
The suspect then fled into a wooded area, Armstrong said. SWAT officers, Alabama Department of Corrections tracking dogs and a helicopter were deployed to the scene.
The suspect was found hiding in a metal out building. Officers used a flash bang – a distraction device – to make entry into the building.
Smith was taken into custody. Authorities said he had covered himself in black spray paint.
He is charged with attempted murder for firing on lawmen.
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