By GINNY COOPER MCCARLEY / Staff Writer

WILSONVILLE—Steven Earl Owens, 24, caused unrest in Wilsonville on June 22 when he was declared an “armed and dangerous” suspect at large by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

On June 22, Shelby County 911 received a call at approximately 10:43 p.m. from a Wilsonville resident reporting a domestic dispute, according to a news release from the organization.

Owens allegedly threatened violence against the victim saying, “I’m gonna shoot you and anyone in the way,” according to court documents filed on June 23.

Following the incident, Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area, at which time they made contact with a suspect vehicle they believed to be involved and deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, which led to a traffic pursuit. During the pursuit the suspect vehicle damaged a patrol unit and allegedly fired a handgun at pursing units.

Owens is being charged with three counts of attempted murder after allegedly shooting a 9mm pistol at three Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies.

The vehicle was then stopped with a tire deflation device at approximately 12:33 a.m. on June 23, at which time the suspect fled the scene on foot in the area of Alabama 25 and Avery Road, near Alabama Power’s E.C. Gaston Steam Plant.

Stan Chapman, security team leader for the plant, said he got a call about the suspect at approximately 1:45 a.m.

“When he ran into the woods, he was pretty much on our property,” Chapman said, and immediately the security team began assisting law enforcement in the area and developing a plan of action.

At approximately 11:35 a.m., Security Officer Sherry Goodwin, who retired from the Birmingham Police Department after more than 20 years, called Chapman and reported that she had spotted the suspect, Chapman said.

“We had to look for him just a little bit, but he was basically laying right there in front of us,” Chapman said, noting the suspect seemed “worn out” and “tired of running.”

The security officers held Owens at gunpoint, secured his pistol and put him in handcuffs before law enforcement arrived on the scene.

Chapman, who retired as captain after 20 years with the Shelby County Police Department, said all of the security officers at the plant are either retired military or law enforcement and are well-trained for scenarios such as the man-hunt.

“It wasn’t just me and Sherry, it was the whole team,” Chapman said, and emphasized that all 10 security officers “came in or stayed over” until the suspect was apprehended.

Owens is currently being held in the Shelby County Jail on three counts of attempted murder, one count of attempting to elude police and one count of domestic violence in the third degree.