Alabama Man Gets Minimum of Six Years for Shooting at Columbus Police

Posted on 1/13/2026

Defendant: Skyler Allen

An Alabama resident will go to prison for at least six years for opening fire on a Columbus police officer.
 
Franklin County Judge Mark Serrott sentenced Skyler Allen, 29, to between 6 and 7.5 years in prison for felonious assault, a first-degree felony, with a three-year firearm specification.
 
Allen, who was in Columbus on a job assignment, was apprehended and arrested by police later that day. He pleaded guilty to all charges October 14, 2025.
 
Case Background
 
At approximately 2:30 p.m. April 6, 2025, a Columbus police officer who had just completed a special duty assignment encountered a pickup truck exiting a parking garage in the Short North district. The officer, who was on foot, ordered the driver to stop repeatedly revving the vehicle’s engine.
 
As the truck proceeded through the intersection of North High Street and East Hubbard Avenue, Allen, who was in the passenger’s seat, fired multiple shots at the officer. The officer returned fire as the vehicle fled the scene. Nobody was injured.