A suspect shot by a Mobile County deputy Saturday had previously threatened to shoot police if pulled over, according to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

Mobile deputies pulled over a 2018 white Kia Optima traveling eastbound on AL-158 in Wilmer about 3:18 a.m. Saturday. The vehicle had been observed swerving in and out of its lane, so a traffic stop was initiated, according to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office.

A deputy approached the passenger side of the vehicle and found a male driver and female passenger. The driver advised he had no driver’s license on him, but gave his name, date of birth and social security number — all of which would prove to be phony.

After learning the driver had provided false information, the deputy returned to the vehicle, by which time a second deputy had arrived to provide assistance. According sheriff’s office, both deputies noticed the driver attempting to hide a handgun underneath his right leg.

Both deputies drew their weapons, with one firing at the suspect, striking him in both hands. Medical personnel were called to the scene and the suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The female passenger told investigators she had met the suspect at her place of employment. She knew him as Travis Sebastian and said he was homeless. She had agreed to take him to Florida, but during the course of the trip he changed the plan, demanded she withdraw money from her bank account and said they were instead going to Utah.

Investigators confirmed the suspect’s identity as 34-year-old Hunter Sabastian Bixler of Cedar Park, Texas. Sebastian had an active warrant for possession of a controlled substance out of Travis County, Texas, and a check of NCIC returned an advisory which said “The subject made threats that if he was pulled over by law enforcement, he would shoot the officer.”

A court docket shows Bixler is due in court in Travis County on Dec. 19 on charges of DUI/3rd or more, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

A search of Bixler’s vehicle found a XD Springfield Amory handgun, with the serial number filed off. A magazine was seated in the gun and a round chambered, as well as a second magazine sitting next to the gun.

Also found were Xanax pills, burglary tools, knives, a leather holster, leather gun case, another magazine, tactical light, two boxes of 9mm ammunition, and a black and white face mask. A wallet with Bixler’s ID and address was also found, along with a second wallet with a medical fentanyl pouch inside.

Once released from the hospital, Bixler will be charged with:

• Possession of an altered firearm
• Possession with intent to distribute Xanax
• Possession of a controlled substance (Fentanyl)
• Possession of burglary tools
• Unlawful possession of prescription drugs
• Reckless endangerment
• Menacing
• 4th-degree theft
• Providing false information to law enforcement
• Possession of a weapon by persons forbidden