One person is dead and another was airlifted to a Columbus hospital following a shooting Tuesday night on Lee Road 379 near the Beulah community, according to Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones.

Jones said the Lee County 911 Center received a call at approximately 8:13 p.m. Central time reporting two vehicles in the roadway just north of the area known as Long Bridge.

When deputies arrived, they found two men who appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds. One man was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second was still showing signs of life. The surviving victim was transported by ambulance to East Alabama Medical Center for treatment.

According to Jones, investigators recovered two handguns in the vicinity of the two men.

Investigators believe the incident may have involved the two individuals shooting at one another, but the sheriff stressed that this remains a preliminary assessment and that the circumstances surrounding the shooting have not yet been determined.

Investigators are also working to establish whether the two men knew each other.

Jones said authorities do not believe there is any further threat to the surrounding community and described the incident as an isolated event involving the two individuals.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including deputies and investigators with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Emergency Management Agency, the Lee County Coroner’s Office, an investigator with the district attorney’s office, emergency medical services personnel and Beulah Fire and Rescue.

The sheriff said additional agencies offered assistance as investigators worked to determine what happened.

Lee Road 379 remained blocked as authorities processed the crime scene. Jones advised motorists traveling north from the Smiths Station area toward the Valley to avoid the roadway and consider using U.S. Highway 280 as an alternate route.

The sheriff said it was not yet known whether the roadway would be reopened by Wednesday morning’s commute.

The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not released the identities of the two men or additional details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting.

CNAW2News will provide additional information as it becomes available.