Calhoun County. AL – A Calhoun County Deputy stopped a motorcycle without a visible tag on US 78 near Anniston (Dearmanville). The deputy located Thomas Griffith, 23 years old, from Anniston, and began an investigation into his motorcycle ownership. Griffith was also found with a number of illegal drugs as well as a firearm, and the deputy took him into custody. The motorcycle was also stolen earlier in the day.

Griffith was interacting with Griffith when a second vehicle, unrelated to Griffith, approached the area where Griffith was conducting the traffic stop. Sheriff Matthew Wade said that the vehicle stopped right next to the deputy, and shots were fired. We aren’t sure at this point if the shooter was shooting directly at the deputy, or into the air.” Griffith was arrested by the deputy. He was unable to fire back at Griffith before the vehicle left the area. This is due to Griffith being held in a detention facility. He was unable to pursue the suspect vehicle and he informed other officers.

Sheriff Wade stated that the shooting investigation was still ongoing and that there are leads being pursued. Due to the ongoing investigation, he did not wish to reveal the make and model of the vehicle or the number of its occupants. The Sheriff’s Office is looking for any information about this shooting incident.

Sheriff Wade stated that Griffith’s arrest and the shooting suspect were separate incidents, and they are not related. Thomas Austin Griffith was arrested and taken to Calhoun County Jail. He is being charged with the following:

Photo courtesy of Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office

Bond $10,000

Bond $18,000

Bond $6,000

$6,000

$18,000