Witnesses recall terrifying moments during the deadly confrontation and pursuit of Saraland

SARALAND, Alabama (WALA) – FOX10 News has obtained chaotic cellphone video that shows the moments dozens of shots rang out in Saraland Wednesday morning.

One person was killed in a shootout and confrontation with the police in Saraland

It was a scary situation for neighbors and police, who say Juan Puente Jr. shot at deputies and then barricaded himself in his garage.

We’re told Puente was shot and killed.

Investigators say it all started when deputies tried to serve Puente with a warrant.

Sheriff Paul Birch says he decided to take a different route and avoid the warrant, which led to a chase and then a standoff.

“They’re trying to get these people off the streets,” said Sheriff Birch. “This individual chose a different path than going to prison.”

Sheriff Birch says more than 100 rounds were fired.

Puente was seen on cellphone video trying to run from law enforcement near Shelton Beach Road.

Investigators say he did not comply and fired at law enforcement officers, and shots were fired in return.

According to the sheriff, the warrants related to child pornography.

“This morning our ICAC, Internet Crimes Against Children, unit attempted to issue two warrants for the arrest of individuals for child pornography. And they watched as he left the house, he drove onto Shelton Beach Road where they conducted a traffic stop,” Sheriff Burch explained. “I had my first conversation with him. They saw that he was holding a gun. Those communications broke down, he sped away. Deputies made a pit maneuver, which caused him to die briefly. He was able to recover from it and went back to his car.”

After that encounter, Sheriff Birch says Puente returned home, barricaded himself in his garage and continued shooting at law enforcement officers until he was fatally wounded.

Dianna Wright lives next door and says she heard everything.

“All the officers, about fifty officers, were shooting bullets and they were just flying everywhere. It was very scary,” Wright recalled.

Wright says all she did was stay downstairs until she felt it was safe and the shooting stopped.

“It was just terrible. It was terrifying all the bullets and cars up and down the road. All blue lights. They were in my yard, they were nearby. They were walking up and down the road with yellow tape and everything,” Wright said. “I talked to him several times. I had no idea he was in trouble with the police, but they seem like good people.”

Even outside the area, it was a dire situation for shoppers at the nearby store.

Two women say they witnessed and heard gunfire between Puente and law enforcement.

“Every time I came here, I got out of the car and heard gunshots. And I just left everything in the car, threw up and ran inside. And then the customers were standing outside, and they went inside,” said Arika Heck.

“Same for me. When we got into the car, there was just shooting everywhere,” said Kristi Alexander.

According to the sheriff’s office, Puente’s criminal history includes only a few traffic violations.

In an MCSO press release, we reported that deputies also hit Puente during the traffic stop, but it was ineffective.

Sheriff Burch says no one else was injured during the chase and shootout.