Former Alabama Police Officer Shot And Killed His Wife Two Weeks After Getting His Gun Back

A former Alabama police officer shot and killed his wife a little over two weeks after getting his gun back. The gun was taken away following a prior domestic dispute between the couple that left his wife with a gunshot wound.

Police took 43-year-old Jason McIntosh’s pistol nine months ago when he shot his wife, 31-year-old Megan Montgomery, in the arm. He was placed on leave until an investigation was completed but resigned from the Hoover Police Department just two days later.

Yet despite having an active order of protection, McIntosh was given back his weapon. His own attorney even condemned the move, who said it was “irrational, illogical, and not prudent to do so.” 

Alabama has a law on the books stating no one with a restraining order for domestic abuse should have access to a gun, according to the Daily Mail. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, who took over the case since McIntosh’s co-workers were the responding officers, said the investigation was closed, and there was no reason to keep his personal property, despite the law.

“Additionally, the restraining order did not restrict Mr. McIntosh’s access to firearms. If the gun had been a department-issued service weapon, ALEA would have returned it to the department,” a spokesman for the ALEA said.

But, in December 2019, just 16 days after getting his gun back, McIntosh fatally shot Montgomery after driving her to a parking lot and beating her. 

McIntosh pleaded guilty to murder earlier this year, part of a plea agreement that nets him 30 years behind bars. A judge accepted his plea on March 31, and as part of the deal, he admitted to the murder but not to committing capital murder. He would’ve been eligible for the death penalty if convicted of capital murder.