Jim Zeigler:  Shooter of two Bibb County deputies was not supposed to be out of prison

A 26-year-old who is accused of shooting two Bibb County Deputies Wednesday was not supposed to be out of prison, according to State Auditor Jim Zeigler.

Austin Patrick Hall is the object of a manhunt after a shooting in the Brierfield, Alabama area of Bibb County near Montevallo.  The two wounded deputies were transported to UAB hospital in Birmingham where both were admitted and one is in critical condition.

Zeigler says Hall was criminally charged 46 times in the past nine years.  He was approved for work release in 2019 while serving a 10-year sentence for theft of property in 2018.

“This inmate was not appropriate for work release then, and he was not supposed to be out of prison now,” Zeigler said.

Hall was indicted in Calhoun County, Alabama in May of this year on 10 charges of second-degree receiving stolen property, reckless endangerment, second-degree assault, certain persons prohibited from carrying a firearm, drug possession, resisting arrest, attempting to elude, and third-degree burglary.  Hall had led police on a two-state chase in 2019.

“Our criminal justice system needs to do a much better job of deciding which inmates to release under work release, parole, and any types of early release,” Zeigler said.  “We need more accountability on the part of officials who make these decisions.”

“Our prayers are with the two wounded deputies, their families, and fellow officers.  We pray for the swift capture of the accused and that no further violence will be done to law enforcement and the public. After that, we need to use this shooting to prompt a hard look at all forms of criminal release.  It appears that Hall was not supposed to be out of prison at this time.  We need to tighten up accountability for the safety of the public and law enforcement,” Zeigler said.