Witnesses, Wallace's stepfather speak

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Authorities swarmed Mobile Metro Jail after they said a suspect overpowered an officer and stabbed him to death.

Multiple sources told FOX10 news the suspect used a medallion hanging around his neck as a weapon.  

“He swung at him, had something in his hand and he stabbed him in his throat and he started bleeding and gushing out everywhere,” said one witness.

Witnesses said they heard a rustle inside the garage at the jail.

Shortly after many said they saw an inmate driving off in a police car.

“At first you just heard all the noise and then you saw the police car coming out -- well coming through the sally port,” said another witness.

The man behind the wheel police said was Lawrence Wallace.

He was arrested earlier Friday for robbing and setting a Dollar General on fire. 

Wallace's stepfather said his eyes have been glued to the TV since the incident.

“It's way out of character just unbelievable. I didn't believe that. It's something that catches you off guard,” he said.

His stepfather said he has been put in a tough spot right now and can’t make excuses for his stepson’s actions.

“You don't stop loving the person, you can despise the decision that they make,” he said.

He said Wallace lived with him for years, but he said he doesn’t know why Wallace would take things to such an extreme.

“Well I think he's deceased right now; but there's nothing you can say to him, and I won't go there,” he responded.

Authorities confirm that Wallace was pronounced dead on Daytona Drive from an apparent gunshot wound after a standoff with police.