By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
An Elmore County man is recovering after being shot seven times at his residence in Eclectic over the weekend. A South Carolina man has been arrested.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, Sheriff Bill Franklin told the EAN that 911dispatchers received a call to the 700 block of Moseley Road in northeast Elmore County in the Eclectic community.
Franklin said that a man, later identified as David B.Knickerbocker, 59, drove onto private property and approached the residence saying he was looking for some friends. He was told he was at the wrong residence, but Knickerbocker reportedly did not believe it.
“From what we learned, Mr. Knickerbocker is not technically homeless, but he bounces around friends’ houses from time to time. When he was told he was at the wrong house, he became angry,” Sheriff Franklin said.
A resident of the home, James White, 78, began talking to Knickerbocker and told him where the friends Knickerbocker was searching for actually lived, but Knickerbocker continued to argue, Franklin said. “He (Knickerbocker) was under the influence of alcohol and had even called his friends, who verified he was at the wrong address. But he refused to leave.”
Franklin said Mr. White then told Knickerbocker he had a gun, and Knickerbocker needed to leave the property.
“At that point, Knickerbocker reportedly told Mr. White he had a gun, too. He (Knickerbocker) pulled it out and the two began firing at each other. Mr. White had a .22 caliber and fired the gun, hitting Mr. Knickerbocker in the upper arm. Mr. Knickerbocker had a .38 caliber handgun and fired multiple rounds at Mr. White.”
Mr. White received multiple injuries to the hands, arms, legs and upper torso, but is recovering, Franklin said.
“During all of this, Knickerbocker reportedly took Mr. White’s gun from him and shot him, again, with it. He (Knickerbocker) then took both guns, put them in his vehicle and fled the scene,” Sheriff Franklin told the EAN.
Shortly after, an Elmore deputy located the vehicle Knickerbocker was driving and a chase ensued. Medical personnel were sent to the residence to tend to Mr. White who was treated for his injuries.
Meanwhile, the vehicle pursuit ended in the 5000 block of Hwy. 9 in the Santuck community. Knickerbocker was removed from the vehicle as other units arrived. He was taken to Elmore Community Hospital where he was treated and released to deputies’ custody.
He was placed in the Elmore County Jail on multiple charges including DUI, Assault 1st, Theft of Property 2nd, Attempt to Elude, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct/Disturbing the Peace, Obstructing Governmental Operations, and Certain Person Forbidden to possess a Firearm. His bond is set at $79,500.
“I think the victim, Mr. White, is one tough old rascal,” Sheriff Franklin said. “He handled himself really well, and he was well within his right to defend his home and family.”
Franklin said that Knickerbocker’s last known address is South Carolina. He remains in the Elmore County Jail as of this report.
