Hazel Green, AL: Sheriff's deputies kill man after he takes wife hostage, kills her

By The Associated Press
April 18, 2010, 7:17PM

HAZEL GREEN, Ala. -- Madison County authorities say a sheriff's department employee was shot and killed by deputies shortly after he killed his wife in a hostage situation.
Sheriff's department officials said Madison County Corrections Officer Jason Lee Earls shot and killed his wife and then was shot by deputies.
Sheriff's investigator Chad Brooks said deputies were called to a Hazel Green home at about 1:40 a.m. Sunday and found Earls threatening his wife with a handgun. Brooks said Earls then dragged his wife outside and held the gun to her head. Brooks said Earls then shot his wife deputies then fired shots, killing Earls.
The name of Earls' wife was not immediately released.