Alabama District Attorney Greg Griggers 'shot in the face' by former state trooper

The prosecutor is expected to make a full recovery after being shout outside his offices

A gunman is dead after shooting a West Alabama prosecutor, police have confirmed.

Greg Griggers, who serves as the Judicial Circuit 17 District Attorney in West Alabama, was shot near his Demopolis offices Thursday, police chief Tommie Reese told reporters. The prosecutor is in stable condition at a nearby hospital and expected to make a full recovery.

The gunman, identified by police as a former state trooper named Steve Smith, was shot and killed by police on site.

“Griggers got shot in the face and they killed the ex-state trooper who shot him,” Michael Jackson, district attorney for Alabama’s 4th Judicial Circuit, told local media outlets.

“They say he’s going to recover,” he added. “I got an investigator going down there [to Demopolis] right now, and they’re going to give me updates.”

Mr Griggers serves as district attorney representing the counties of Sumter, Green and Marengo.

Investigators said the prosecutor was inside of his vehicle in downtown Demopolis just outside his offices when the gunman ambushed him.

The shooting occurred in broad daylight close to a school near Mr Griggers’ offices, which went into lock down during and after the Thursday incident.

Shortly after news broke about the shooting, local attorneys released statements of support for their colleague.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Greg & his family,” US Attorney Jay Towns said in a statement. “Griggers is a dedicated public servant and honorable man.”

He added, “This serves as another reminder of the perils and dangers that law enforcement at every level face daily.”

Investigators did not immediately discuss a possible motive for the shooting.

Mr Griggers was treated at the Bryan W Whitfield Memorial Hospital in Demopolis. The prosecutor stayed at the hospital on Thursday afternoon with Clint Sumlin, commander of the 17th Judicial Circuit’s drug task force, who told media he was at the hospital “for security purposes.”

The commander added Mr Griggers was doing “ok” in spite of the injuries he was treated for.

The Demopolis Police Department did not immediately respond to enquiries.