Blount County Deputy cleared in shooting

No charges will be filed against a Blount County sheriff's deputy who fatally shot a 24-year-old man in November.

A grand jury this week reviewed the deadly shooting and cleared the deputy of any wrongdoing the in the Nov. 3, 2014 death of Caleb Joseph Ryan, according to Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey. The shooting happened about 2:30 a.m. that Monday on Martin Road in Blountsville. Ryan was pronounced dead on the scene.

Sheriff Loyd Arrington has said the deputy responded to a domestic call and burglary at the Martin Road home. Ryan ran and the deputy pursued him. A fight erupted, and Ryan was shot in a nearby field.

The 30-year-old deputy was injured during the fight, and transported to Cullman Regional Medical Center. The deputy, a three-year veteran of the force, was placed on administrative leave pending the ongoing investigation but is now expected to return to duty. His name hasn't been released.

Casey said the investigation showed that the deputy used alternative methods to try to subdue Ryan prior to firing his weapon after an altercation occurred. During that time, Ryan was choking the officer to the point he was about to pass out and was attempt to gouge out the deputy's right eye.