Man allegedly forcing his way into Alabama elementary school is shot and killed by police

A man was shot and killed on Thursday afternoon after he allegedly tried to force his way into Walnut Park Elementary School in Gadsden, Alabama, said Etowah County Sheriff Jonathan Horton at a news conference.

"He tried to open at least two doors leading into the school," said Gadsden City School Superintendent Tony Reddick. However, the district keeps all of the school’s exterior and interior doors locked.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the man was then spotted trying to forcibly enter a patrol vehicle near the school. A resource officer engaged with the individual and tried to stop him.

An altercation between the officer and the man ensued, during which the individual tried to take the officer’s firearm.

At some point, the officer called for backup. One of the responding officers shot at the individual, eventually killing him.

While the school is on summer vacation, it continues to run a literacy camp and a Parks and Recreation summer camp for its students. At least 34 students were inside the premises at the time of the incident.

"Our schools, especially after ... what's happened in Texas, we have one of the largest school resource officers programs in Etowah County, preaching that these doors stay locked. That the individual was not able to make it inside the school," Reddick continued.  

"From the school resource officer's standpoint -- he did exactly what should be done. He went straight to the threat, he confronted it and he dealt with it. It ended in, unfortunately, the death of the suspect, but that's the safest alternative. To keep that threat out of that school," he added.

Etowah County Coroner identified the man as Robert Tyler White, 32, who lived in the Gadsden area. It is still unknown whether the individual was armed or why he was trying to get into the school. The man’s brother, Justin White, said Robert suffered from depression and other mental health problems.

“He wasn’t some psycho trying to hurt kids,” the brother said. “He was just a messed up individual. He had problems. But he wouldn’t hurt no kids.”

The incident is still under investigation.