Kidnapping Victim Escapes In Jefferson County

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL - A man who authorities say was kidnapped at gunpoint in Pell City was able to escape his captors Thursday morning in Pinson. The victim had been shot, and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

A report by Alabama Media Group said Pell City police officers were dispatched about 1 a.m. Thursday to a home in the 600 block of Kings Circle when a 76-year-old woman called to report her grandson had been abducted between 12:30 a.m. and 12:45 a.m. She told police three black males and a white female came to the home and knocked on the door. At that point, they asked for her 35-year-old grandson by name. When she told him he was home, they entered and took him from his bed. They were armed with pistols.

About 6 a.m., Pell City police received a call from the victim. He said he was in Pinson and had been shot there before being able to escape in the 6700 block of Highway 79. He was then taken to UAB Hospital with gunshot wounds to the legs. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Patch morning newsletter.)

Pell City Police Chief Paul Irwin said one suspect was taken into custody about 1:30 a.m. at 19thStreet. Police are still searching for the other two black males and the white female. Investigators believe the kidnapping was the result of a dispute over some type of property.

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