State authorities investigating police officer’s fatal shooting of 15-year-old

State authorities on Tuesday said they are investigating the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old at the hands of an Athens police officer over the weekend.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation said it launched the investigation on Saturday at the Athens Police Department’s request.

SBI investigations into fatal shootings by police officers are standard practice.

The police officer, who was not named publicly, responded Saturday to Elles Drive in Athens on a call about a teenager threatening family members with a knife.

The officer made contact with a 15-year-old who was brandishing a firearm, according to the SBI.

The teen, who was not publicly identified, was injured by gunfire and taken to a local hospital, where they died of their injuries.

The SBI did not provide further comment on the investigation except to say the probe’s findings will be turned over to the Limestone County district attorney once it is complete.