Rainsville standoff suspect identified

MGN

The Rainsville Police Department (RPD) has identified the person involved in a vehicle pursuit and standoff that occurred on March 10, 2026.

Robert Parks 45 of Rossville, Georgia has been identified as the person involved in the incident.

They say a pursuit of a stolen Kia Sorento was initiated in Scottsboro, Alabama and officers were lead Eastbound on AL Hwy 35 towards Dekalb County.

The pursuit continued to the intersection of AL Hwy 35 and Al Hwy 75 in Rainsville where the suspect vehicle collided with a civilian vehicle that was stationary at the intersection disabling the suspect vehicle, the RPD says.

The Sorento then came to rest on AL Hwy 75 just North of the intersection.

Rainsville officers along with the Alabama State Troopers and Dekalb County Deputy’s positioned their vehicles around the suspect vehicle and began to attempt contact with the driver.

While approaching the stolen vehicle, officers observed the driver present a handgun.

The RPD says officers then took cover and kept the driver at gun point while giving verbal commands to lower his weapon and exit the vehicle.

AL Hwy 75 was subsequently closed off and nearby businesses were advised to shelter in place.

The standoff lasted about 45 minutes and Parks suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Officers and medical personal then rushed to the vehicle and extracted Parks and rendered aid until an ambulance was able to arrive.

Parks was taken to Erlanger Hospital where he was in stable condition at last report to law enforcement.

They say charges against Parks are pending investigation.