BAY MINETTE – Baldwin County authorities are investigating a shooting in which a Bay Minette police officer killed a suspect after a traffic stop Saturday morning, according to a Sheriff’s Office statement.

At about 10:25 a.m., an officer stopped a car driven by Otis French Jr. on Lower Street. The officer asked French to step out of the vehicle so he could show him an equipment violation, the statement said.

French got out of the vehicle but did not follow the officer’s instructions. The statement said French began fighting with the officer and the officer was pushed to the ground. French ran away, but the officer caught him and tried to use a Taser on the suspect. The Taser was not effective and the two started fighting again and fell to the ground again, the statement said.

French wrestled the Taser away from the officer and used the device on the officer. The officer shot French. The suspect was taken to the hospital where he died, the statement said. The officer was treated for minor injuries and released.

He has been placed on administrative leave until the investigation is completed.

The Bay Minette Police Department requested that the Baldwin County Major Crimes Unit investigate the shooting. Officers worked in the Douglasville community for several hours Saturday investigating the case.