Suspect Dies After Interstate Pursuit Tied to Domestic Violence Call, Child Recovered Safely

OPELIKA, Ala. – A multi-agency pursuit that began with a domestic violence call in Opelika, Alabama, ended more than an hour later along Interstate 85 in Georgia, where authorities say the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A child taken during the incident was safely recovered.

Opelika Police officers were called to Andrews Road around 12:20 p.m. CST on Thursday, January 9, after a woman reported being assaulted by the father of her child and expressed concern for the child’s safety. According to police, the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Justin Scott Roberts, had taken the child and fled the scene in a black Nissan Titan pickup truck.

Officers located the vehicle a short time later and attempted a traffic stop, but Roberts refused to pull over, leading officers on a pursuit through Opelika. Police said Roberts was already wanted on a felony charge for assault on a police officer from a prior incident.

Because a juvenile was believed to be inside the vehicle and officers were concerned about the child’s immediate safety, the pursuit continued onto Interstate 85 North. The chase crossed into Georgia, at which point Opelika officers discontinued their involvement in accordance with policy, and Alabama and Georgia law enforcement agencies took over.

Just after 1:20 p.m. CST, Georgia State Patrol troopers performed a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle along I-85 North. Authorities say that before officers could approach the truck, Roberts died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Deputies and troopers were able to safely remove the child from the vehicle. The child appeared unharmed and was taken for medical evaluation as a precaution.

The Opelika Police Department thanked the Georgia State Patrol, Troup County Sheriff’s Office, Chambers County Sheriff’s Office, and other assisting agencies for their coordination and assistance in bringing the situation to a close and safely recovering the child.