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Video: Thermal drone helps Ala. police locate man who shot officer

The man shot the officer in the hand after a pursuit; he was found less than 24 hours later using a thermal drone and is being held on a $10M bond

SCOTTSBORO, Ala. — A suspect accused of shooting a Scottsboro police officer during a pursuit was taken into custody Saturday night following an extensive manhunt, WAFF reported.

Daniel Victor McCarn, 29, of Huntsville, was arrested approximately five miles from where he was last seen earlier in the day on July 26. He is charged with attempted murder and is being held in the Jackson County Jail on a $10 million bond.

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The arrest came after a local business reported a possible sighting of McCarn. Scottsboro Police reviewed surveillance footage and confirmed his identity. Using a thermal drone, officers tracked McCarn to a wooded area near railroad tracks and arrested him without incident.

The search began just before 1 a.m. on July 26 when police responded to a domestic incident. Authorities say McCarn fled the scene, leading officers on a pursuit. He crashed his vehicle at the intersection of U.S. Highway 72 and County Park Road, then allegedly opened fire, striking Scottsboro Police Lt. Derek Porch in the hand before fleeing on foot.

Lt. Porch, a 29-year veteran of the department, was transported to Huntsville Hospital and underwent a medical procedure. His injuries are not life-threatening.

“He is doing okay,” Lt. Coty Durham said at a press conference. “…We hope to be seeing him real soon.”

Authorities said McCarn had no prior serious criminal history, with only two traffic violations in Jackson County.

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

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Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com