The videos show moments before the mentally ill men were shot by deputies in separate incidents

WALKER COUNTY, Ala. (WBMA) — The shooting deaths of two unarmed mentally ill men in separate incidents in Walker County raise questions about training and use of force. The ABC 33/40 News I-Team reviewed the cases that came to light in the death of Tony Mitchella after he spent two weeks in the Walker County Jail.

ABC 33/40 News has obtained access to body camera footage from a fatal June 2021 encounter between Gregory Hambric and Deputy Kolby Twilley in the Boldo community.

From the moment the deputy arrived on the scene, the video shows a tense interaction with the deputy repeatedly yelling “show me your hands, show me your hands.

“The deputy arrived at the scene and did not announce himself; he just came out screaming and swearing,” noted Hambric’s son Chris. He said that instead of reducing the situation, it only escalated. Chris Hambric said at all times his father’s hands were visible and he was not armed.

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“Someone shows up, screaming, pointing a rifle at you at night; this is a threatening situation,” commented family attorney Frank Ozment.

Deputy Twilley, new to the force in Walker County, was the first to arrive on the scene. He and Hambric maintained a distance of about 70 feet from each other, according to Ozment.

Body camera video showed that about two minutes later the deputy fired shots as Hambric turned to leave. Ozment puts the number of shots fired at 21 hitting the house, vehicles and Hambric. He fell in front of his house and died on the spot.

The deadly encounter began with a 911 call from Hambric’s wife. Her husband was acting erratically, fired two shots in the air with a rifle and threatened.

“He regrets it to this day. He feels because he asked for help that killed him,” explained Chris Hambric.

Hambric’s younger son, who was home that night, said his father was not armed when Deputy Twilley arrived.

The elder Hambric had worked in the Army Corps, been on the dean’s list in college, but a history of drug abuse led to mental problems.

Attorney Frank Ozment says the civil suit is about accountability to law enforcement. “Responsibility brings to the table the kind of people you want serving your community. If we continue on this trend, we’re going to be in a bad place,” Ozment commented.

Deputy Twilley, who is no longer on the force, has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing by the state. Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith says the allegations in the civil suit are not an accurate representation of what happened. The lawsuit is expected to be dismissed.

*WARNING: THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT*

Last week, a civil lawsuit over the 2021 shooting death of another unarmed mentally ill man in Walker County was settled. Details have not been disclosed.

It also started with a 911 call from a father asking for help with his son. Frederick Hight, Junior was on the ground wearing only a bathrobe when he was shot. The video of the incident was recorded by his father.

*WARNING: THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT*

The deputy in that case was also cleared of any criminal wrongdoing by the State Bureau of Investigation. (SBI)

Chris Hambrick, who is ex-military and describes himself as a supporter of law enforcement, says he hopes his father’s story and others that have ended so tragically will bring about change.

“Training has to be paramount. We have far too many incidents. We should be getting help, not ending up with a dead family member,” Hambric noted. He also believes that immunity laws need to be reviewed.

Although the state found no criminal wrongdoing in either case, both families say the deputies should have faced criminal charges.

One study estimated that at least twenty percent of police calls are for services involving a mental health or substance abuse crisis.