Man shot by Opelika police, faces charges of domestic violence
A man has been arrested after being shot in the leg by an Opelika police officer over the weekend, the Opelika Police Department announced Monday.
Opelika police say officers were dispatched around 9:37 p.m. Saturday to the 1300 block of South Long Street regarding a domestic dispute. The responding officers encountered “a suspect with what was believed to be a handgun,” according to a news release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
The incident led to an officer shooting the man in the leg, the release says. The man was taken to Piedmont Columbus Regional for treatment, according to police.
ALEA says further investigation determined the handgun the man was holding was a full-sized replica of a Beretta 9mm semiautomatic handgun. “The replica does not have the capability to fire a bullet like a normal firearm would,” ALEA’s Administrative Bureau Director Captain Jeremy Burkett told the Ledger-Enquirer.
The man was arrested on two charges of domestic violence after being released from the hospital, the OPD release says. Police say additional charges are pending. He was identified as 75-year-old Charles Winston, of Opelika.
Police say the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigations is investigating the incident.
“The firearms, evidence and videos were turned over to SBI for their investigation,” the OPD release says.
The results of the SBI’s investigation will be turned over to the Lee County District Attorney’s Office, according to police. The Lee County District Attorney’s Office will then present the findings to a Lee County Grand Jury, the release says.
“The officer in question has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol following such an incident,” Opelika Police Department Community Relations Administrator Allison Duke told the Ledger-Enquirer. “As this is an ongoing matter, further details regarding personnel are not available for release at this time.”
Police asked those with information on this incident to contact the SBI Montgomery Field Office at (334) 676-7870.
This story was originally published April 28, 2025 at 2:12 PM.