Name of Man Shot In Police Shooting Is Released

Alabama Mobile Authorities announce charges against Ricky Lett Junior.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Thu, July 02, 2009 - 9:27 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, July 02, 2009 - 10:07 pm CST

Mobile Police have released the name of a man shot by one of their officers Thursday afternoon.
Police said the officer opened fire on 23 year old Ricky Lett, Junior after Lett grabbed the officer's Taser.
Lett had been in trouble for identity theft.
Police said Lett was brought to USA Medical Center, but officials at the hospital said they did not have information on Lett's condition.
Authorities said everything started peacefully.
Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson said, "It was apparently a routine traffic violation and, then, away we go."
Police said an officer stopped a motorist and was trying to identify him when the man suddenly got out of the car and ran into some nearby woods.
The officer chased him, and, according to Officer Christopher Levy, "A physical altercation ensued. The officer attempted to Taser the subject."
Tyson said the officer "was not able to make all the connections with the Taser. One Taser actually was embedded, one was not The guy running pulls the other one out of him, wrestles the officer, takes the Taser away, then they're wrestling over the gun and the officer shoots him."
Mary Mayo and her granddaughter were at the gas station getting gas at the time.
Mayo said, "He (the suspect) took off in full speed with the police officer right behind him."
When asked if she was scared, Mayo said, "No. I was really trying to find out why this young man would be so ridiculously silly to run from a police officer."
Mayo's granddaughter, Marina Harris, also witnessed the incident.
She said, "The man took off and ran behind the building and the police officer dropped everything and just ran behind him."
When asked if she was scared, Harris said, "Yes. My stomach was in a knot, yes."
Tyson added, "Its just a bad idea to run and then try to fight."
Police had not released the name of the officer, but said he only received minor injuries.
They do say Ricky Lett, Junior is charged with second degree assault, and obstructing justice by giving officers a fake name.

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