BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- A rodeo bull was shot to death by Birmingham police tonight as it charged at a group of people near the entrance of East Lake Park.

The bull, named Smoke Wagon, somehow managed to get free from the trailer that was hauling it from Albertville to a rodeo in Tuscaloosa and ran out onto Interstate 20/59.

Smoke Wagon was struck by several cars, said North Precinct Lt. Paul Irwin, but continued on to First Avenue North and struck a Birmingham police patrol car.

Police and the bull's owner, 18-year-old Dakoda Floyd, tried in vain to get the bull back into the trailer.

"They couldn't get it to go back in (the trailer), and it was running toward people," Irwin said.

That's when police fired "numerous shots" killing the bull, Irwin said.

Floyd became upset about the bull's death and was briefly handcuffed by police.

"He's calmed down now and I think he realizes we did what we had to do," Irwin said.

Floyd's mother, Kelley Lee, agreed.



"I wish he was still up on four heels, but we're glad no one was hurt," Lee said of the bull.

Lee said she wasn't happy about her son being handcuffed but said, "If that's protocol, it's protocol."

Lee's mother, Joyce McClendon, said the 3 1/2 year old bull valued at $10,000 was usually a very docile animal.

"He'll eat out of your hand, but you put him out here in the middle of the highway and he probably got scared," McClendon said.

One witness to the shooting, Anthony Sturdivant, said he heard four gunshots. Others in the crowd that gathered around as police investigated said they heard as many as 15.

Irwin would not say if more than one officer fired their guns.

"Police called him (the owner) back and they took the bull down," Sturdivant said. "He went down with the first round."

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Updated at 8:02 p.m. to add comments from owner's mother and correct bull's name.

Updated at 9:12 p.m. to add comments from owner's grandmother.