Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
7:51 pm Saturday, October 3, 2009

City officer shoots suspect following altercation

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
A Russellville police officer avoided injury Wednesday morning following an exchange of gunfire that left a county man in the hospital.
Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said deputies responded to a suspicious person call near Hometown Pharmacy on Gandy Street just before 5 a.m. Wednesday.
When officers approached a man and woman walking along Gandy Street in front of Concord Baptist Church officers noticed something suspicious in the man's pocket.
The man then proceeded to run from officers and fired one shot at them.
One of the officers fired back, striking the man in the lower chest area.
He was taken to Russellville Hospital and later flown to Huntsville Hospital.
Authorities have identified the man as Steven Jeffrey Cain, 47, who lives at 3642 Franklin 20 in Spruce Pine.
Police said Cain underwent surgery Wednesday morning and is now out of the facility's intensive care unit.
Cain was charged with attempted murder, felon in possession of a firearm and second-degree attempted burglary.
Police also arrested Regina Renee Cansler, 37, of 3642 Franklin 20 in Spruce Pine. Cansler was charged with third-degree attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools.
Reports indicate Cain pleaded guilty to third-degree robbery in connection with the Nov. 28, 2007, robbery of Elgin Pharmacy in Lauderdale County in 2008 but failed to attend a court sentencing.
He is also a suspect in last month's robbery of a Phil Campbell drug store in which the suspect there fired nine times at a town police officer. He is also a suspect in a recent Hackleburg residential burglary.
Hargett said he expects federal charges to be filed against Cain in the coming days. If he is linked to the Phil Campbell drug store break-in, he would face an attempted murder charges there as well.
Wednesday's altercation occurred when officers spotted Cain and Cansler walking down Gandy Street. Officers had been called when someone nearby saw the two near Hometown Pharmacy.
"They told him repeatedly to take his hands out of his pocket and he finally took one hand out and continued backing up," Hargett said.
Officers then tased Cain but it had little effect. He began running away and stopped behind Concord Baptist Church and fired at the officers.
A Russellville officer returned fire, striking Cain in the lower chest area.
"We feel confident that it was justified and the officer did what he was supposed to do," Hargett said.

Also on Franklin County Times
County school board adopts $52M budget
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE Franklin County Schools has adopted a $52 million budget for fiscal year 2026, reflecting a $2.5 million increase over last year. The bud...
Judge denies YO status for Phinizee
Main, News, Z - News Main
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
September 17, 2025
FLORENCE — Youthful offender status was denied Tuesday for a 17-year-old charged with the death of a 13-yearold during what authorities said was a rob...
RCS passes $43.3M budget
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- The city school board has approved a $43.3 million budget for the 2025-26 school year. Chief Financial Officer Lisa Witt said revenues...
Program tackles stress of caregiver burnout
News, Records, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- Many people deal with caregiver burnout. Kids and Kin childcare partner Marquita Wilson presented a program at the Russellville Public...
Flavil Wayne McCaig
Obituaries
September 17, 2025
Flavil Wayne McCaig Sept. 12, 2025   Flavil Wayne McCaig, 82, of Russellville, passed away Sept. 12 at his residence. He was born March 3, 1943, to Au...
Cultura Garden Club begins its year with roses and plans for fall
Columnists, News, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
September 17, 2025
The Cultura Garden Club held its first meeting of the year. President Cheri McCain presided. She provided information on projects and programs for the...
We can’t afford to lose electric vehicle industry
Columnists, Opinion
September 17, 2025
In Alabama, we understand what it means to build things that matter. We’ve long been home to builders and winners – our steel won wars and built the s...
Firefighters, cadets honor 9/11 with stair climbs
News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
September 17, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Firefighters and RHS JROTC cadets participated in a stair climb in recognition of the 24th anniversary of 9-11. Sgt. Grant Tarascou and...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *