Drug Agent Slain in Birmingham During Car Theft

A federal drug agent was shot to death and his unmarked government car was stolen when he stopped at a convenience store so his roommate could buy a soda, officials said.

Doug Althouse, 28, was shot Thursday night at the store in this suburb about 10 miles south of Birmingham. He died before a helicopter ambulance arrived, authorities said.

The assailant took the 1991 black Camaro Z-28 that Althouse was using. The car was found abandoned in Birmingham early Friday. Authorities said the theft was apparently the only motive and the killer was unaware Althouse was a drug agent.