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East Alabama Shooting Victim Airlifted to Birmingham Hospital
53-year-old man jailed after incident on Suburban Drive
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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A suspect has been charged with first-degree assault after a shooting incident in Etowah County, Alabama. Deputies responded to a report of a possible shooting on Suburban Drive and found the victim injured on a front porch. The victim was airlifted to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, while the 53-year-old suspect, Joseph Wayne Hale, was quickly taken into custody due to the immediate threat to public safety.
Why it matters
Violent crimes like this shooting are concerning for the local community, raising questions about public safety and the need for effective law enforcement response. The airlifting of the victim to a major hospital also highlights the seriousness of the incident and the need for advanced medical care.
The details
According to authorities, deputies were dispatched shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Thursday to Suburban Drive on a report of a possible shooting. When they arrived, they found the victim injured on a front porch. The victim was able to tell deputies that the shooter was inside a home across the street. Joseph Wayne Hale, 53, was quickly taken into custody due to the immediate threat to public safety. Hale has been charged with first-degree assault and is being held without bond at the Etowah County Detention Center as the investigation continues.
- Deputies responded to the incident shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
The players
Joseph Wayne Hale
A 53-year-old man who has been charged with first-degree assault in connection with the shooting incident.
Sheriff Jonathon Horton
The sheriff of Etowah County, Alabama, who stated that "violent acts like this have no place in our community".
What they’re saying
“'Violent acts like this have no place in our community,'”
— Sheriff Jonathon Horton (al.com)
What’s next
The investigation into the shooting incident is ongoing, and the judge will decide on Hale's bail status.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the need for continued vigilance and effective law enforcement response to address violent crimes in the local community, in order to maintain public safety and security.
