Will Reynolds

Timeline

• April 6, 1902 — William “Will” Reynolds shot nine people in Tuscumbia, Alabama, United States, killing seven, including Sheriff Charles Gassaway and five Colbert County deputies; Reynolds was later shot dead and his burning house was set on fire as an attempt to smoke him out.
• Sunday, April 6, 1902 — End of Watch for Sheriff Charles Gassaway and the Colbert County deputies.

Background

William “Will” Reynolds was an American mass murderer. He shot nine people, seven of them fatally, in Tuscumbia, Alabama, United States on April 6, 1902. With the sheriff and five deputies of the Colbert County Sheriff’s Department among those killed, the incident became the deadliest incident in Alabama law enforcement history.

The offence

Reynolds attacked members of the Colbert County Sheriff’s Department during an attempted arrest connected with obtaining goods under false pretenses. Reynolds shot Sheriff Charles Gassaway, who was in the doorway, and Deputy William Gassaway. Reynolds then barricaded himself in the house and, firing from inside, shot and mortally wounded Deputy Bob Wallace, Deputy Pat Prout, Deputy James Payne, and Deputy Jesse Davis. Reynolds also shot others including James Finney and Bob Patterson, who were wounded.

Investigation and confrontation

Sheriff Charles Gassaway attempted to arrest Reynolds for obtaining goods under false pretenses. Reynolds informed the sheriff that he would be ready to go in a moment but arrived at the door with a Winchester rifle. Reynolds immediately shot Sheriff Charles Gassaway. Reynolds also shot Deputy William Gassaway, who was standing a distance away. Other deputies arrived at the scene as Reynolds barricaded himself in the house.

Outcome at the scene

Reynolds was eventually shot and killed after members of the Alabama state militia, known as the Wheeler Rifles, shot over 1,000 rounds at Reynolds. Reynolds’s body was then thrown into his burning house, which had been set on fire in an attempt to smoke him out.

Victims and casualties

Killed

• Sheriff Charles Gassaway, 33 (Colbert County Sheriff’s Department)
• Deputy William Gassaway (brother of Sheriff Charles Gassaway)
• Deputy Jesse Davis
• Deputy James Payne
• Deputy Pat A. Prout
• Deputy Bob Wallace
• Hugh Jones

Wounded

• James Finney
• Bob Patterson

Aftermath

The incident was the deadliest incident in Alabama law enforcement history, with the sheriff and five deputies of the Colbert County Sheriff’s Department among those killed.