It took 16 hours for the family of Michael Davidson to be told that he had been shot.
On Thursday, March 6, Airman first class, Michael Davidson, was travelling on I-85 at approximately 7 p.m. when he was involved in a car accident.
According to his father, Billy Davidson, he was traveling to a North Carolina Air Force base when he clipped an 18-wheeler with the side of his car.
After exiting the vehicle, Davidson was shot by Opelika Police Officer Philip Hancock.
In a press conference on March 14, Opelika Police Chief John McEachern said Hancock was responding to reports of a silver GMC Envoy driving erratically.
The silver Envoy was involved in the accident and belonged to Davidson. Officer Hancock asked the airman to place his hands over his head after he exited the vehicle.
"It was at this point that the officer perceived what he believed to be a threat," McEachern said in the press conference. "Officer Hancock then pulled his service weapon and fired two shots at the suspect."
Samuel Sanders, the man driving the other car involved in the accident, stated that Davidson was driving erratically when he struck his trailer, and said Officer Hancock asked Davidson to put his hands up twice before shooting.
Davidson was hit in the stomach and colon and remains in East Alabama Medical Center.
According to his father, he may have to wear a colostomy bag for the remainder of his life.
Officer Hancock has been placed on leave until the investigation is over. No charges have been filed against Davidson.
Opelika Police also found packets of spice, or synthetic marijuana, inside Davidson's vehicle. The law states that possessing this spice is a felony.
Chief McEachern could not be reached for a comment.
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