Birmingham Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charges Following Police Shooting
Birmingham, AL – A young man shot by local police earlier this month has been indicted on federal firearms charges. Jaylin Artez Patton, 28, faces serious allegations, including being a convicted felon in possession of a Glock .40-caliber handgun and possessing a machine gun, according to court documents released this week.
Details of the Incident
The indictment specifies that Patton was armed with a weapon equipped with a machine gun conversion device, allowing it to fire multiple rounds automatically with a single pull of the trigger. This incident occurred on September 4, just before 4 p.m., when an officer initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 20/59 northbound near the junction of Tallapoosa Street and Airport Boulevard.
Authorities reported that Patton did not stop his vehicle when signaled and instead drove down a slope, ultimately stopping at a chain link fence. Once he exited the car, a foot chase began. Initially, Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond indicated that Patton had fired a shot; however, he later clarified that Patton was shot after allegedly refusing multiple orders to drop his firearm, which he had tossed over the fence and then picked up again.
CCTV and Eyewitness Reports
Police body-worn camera footage and videos captured by bystanders show Patton running from officers and scaling the fence before he was shot in the hip/buttocks area. “It’s very hard when we have these critical incidents to have all the information, all the facts immediately,” Chief Thurmond stated. “We wanted to clarify that our officers were not shot at, but we do know this individual did have a gun.”
Previous Charges and Legal Consequences
Beyond the federal gun charges, court records reveal that Patton faces additional state charges, including trafficking fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance, attempting to elude law enforcement, disorderly conduct, and second-degree possession of marijuana. The state alleges that he was found in possession of over 14 grams but less than 28 grams of fentanyl, along with Oxycodone and marijuana. According to the disorderly conduct warrant, Patton allegedly engaged in behavior intended to cause public alarm.
Currently, Patton remains in the Jefferson County Jail with bonds totaling $273,000.
Background and Community Reactions
Patton has a lengthy criminal history, with at least 16 charges filed against him since 2018, encompassing offenses such as drug distribution and attempted eluding. As a convicted felon, he is legally prohibited from carrying a firearm. Despite this record, Patton’s family members have come to his defense, expressing disbelief that he would have fired at officers.
“Everyone who knows Jaylin knows he’s a good-hearted person,” said his mother, Nicole Hillary. She described her son as someone who fears the police and tends to run when confronted but insisted he would never shoot at officers. “He is very afraid of the police. He will run from the police, but as far as him shooting at the police, he would never,” she added.
Ongoing Investigations
The officer-involved shooting incident remains under investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Chief Thurmond held a press conference two days after the shooting to address community concerns and release footage from the incident. He emphasized the need for thorough investigations into such critical situations.
The arraignment for Jaylin Patton is scheduled for October 10, where he will face the federal charges against him. The unfolding details of this case continue to capture the attention of Birmingham residents, highlighting ongoing discussions around public safety and police interactions.
