In the rural community of Boldo, Alabama, a domestic dispute escalated into a fatal encounter in June of 2021, resulting in the death of 64-year-old Gregory Hambric. The chain of events began when Hambric's wife placed a 911 call, reporting that her husband, who had a history of mental health issues stemming from past drug abuse, was acting erratically and had discharged a shotgun into the air.
Walker County Deputy Kolby Twilley was the officer who responded to the call.
According to legal documents, upon his arrival, Deputy Twilley discovered a tense situation. He has stated that he repeatedly commanded Gregory Hambric to show his hands, but Hambric did not comply. The situation took a deadly turn when Hambric, who was unarmed at the time, turned and began walking back towards his house, where Deputy Twilley believed Hambric's wife was. It was at this point that Deputy Twilley opened fire with his automatic rifle, striking and killing Hambric. An attorney for the family stated that the deputy fired 21 rounds.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the incident was investigated, and Deputy Twilley was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by the state. However, the matter did not end there. The family of Gregory Hambric, represented by his son Chris Hambric, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against both Deputy Twilley and Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith. The lawsuit alleges that the deputy did not announce himself as law enforcement, and that his aggressive and profane demeanor created a menacing situation. The family's attorney has asserted that Hambric made no aggressive moves toward the deputy.
The civil lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, brought forth claims of excessive force. While a judge granted summary judgment in favor of Sheriff Nick Smith on the individual capacity claim against him, the case against Deputy Twilley moved forward. The legal proceedings have highlighted the complexities and tragic outcomes that can arise from interactions between law enforcement and individuals experiencing mental health crises.
