A former state trooper shot Greg Griggers, the district attorney for Alabama’s 17th Judicial Circuit, in the face Thursday afternoon in Demopolis, according to Michael Jackson, district attorney for Alabama’s 4th Judicial Circuit. After he shot Griggers, the former trooper was shot to death, reportedly by a law enforcement officer.

“Griggers got shot in the face and they killed the ex-state trooper who shot him,” Jackson told AL.com Thursday afternoon.

Demopolis Police Chief Tommie Reese confirmed during a press conference Thursday afternoon that Griggers was shot, but would not say where on his body.

Griggers was released from the hospital late Thursday afternoon. Reese called his injuries “minor.” He wouldn’t say what type of weapon was used to shoot the DA.

During the press conference, Alabama State Bureau of Investigation Capt. Jason Roberts said the suspect opened fire on Griggers “ambush-style” as he was in his vehicle on his way back from having lunch with several other law enforcement officers. The incident happened about 1 p.m.

Jackson said the shooter has been identified as Steven Smith, Jr., a former state trooper who was previously questioned in connection with a 1996 incident in which someone used a shotgun to shoot up the home of Sumter County Circuit Judge Eddie Hardaway, the first black judge to preside over Sumter, Marengo and Greene counties.

“It is the same trooper [from] all those years ago. My agents with the [4th Judicial Circuit] drug task force have been down there for a few hours and they say it’s definitely him,” Jackson said. “I asked them if they were 100 percent sure it’s him and they said they are.”

Roberts said Smith was hired as a state trooper in February 1982 and was fired sometime in 1996. He would not say why Smith was fired.

Griggers, who serves as district attorney of Greene, Marengo and Sumter counties, was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive, according to Jackson.

“They say he’s going to recover,” Jackson said. “I got an investigator going down there [to Demopolis] right now, and they’re going to give me updates.”

Clint Sumlin, commander of the 17th Judicial Circuit’s drug task force, told AL.com that Griggers was being treated at Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital in Demopolis. Sumlin said he was with Griggers at the hospital “for security purposes,” and that Griggers was doing “ok" as of 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

No one was injured in the 1996 shooting at Hardaway’s home, and the resulting case was ultimately dismissed in 1997 after a special grand jury that was convened to consider charges connected to the shooting was dismantled. Smith, who was fired from his position as a state trooper after he spoke to reporters about the case, reportedly owned a white Mitsubishi that matched witnesses' descriptions of the car driven by the shooter. Smith also testified before the special grand jury in the case.

Jay E. Town, U.S. Attorney for Alabama’s Northern District, issued a statement about the shooting Thursday afternoon.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Greg and his family,” Town said. "District Attorney Griggers is a dedicated public servant and an honorable man. This serves as yet another reminder of the perils and dangers that law enforcement at every level face daily.”

Reese also asked the community to remember Griggers and his family during this time.

“Keep the DA in your thoughts and prayers at this time. His family is very important to us and he is important to our circuit,” he said.

Chelsea Barton, a reporter with WVUA 23 in Tuscaloosa, shared additional information via Twitter Thursday afternoon:

UPDATE: An SBI Investigator on the scene confirms Griggers was sitting in his vehicle outside his office in downtown Demopolis when he was ambushed. Another law enforcement officer shot the suspect. The suspect is dead on the scene. https://t.co/ioko2DgvNV — Chelsea Barton (@ChelseaBarton_) November 15, 2018

This story will be updated as more information is made available.