Investigation Underway After Man Dies In TPD Custody

TUSCALOOSA, AL. — A man is dead following an attempted arrest early Saturday morning, prompting an investigation by the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit. The Tuscaloosa Police Department said the suspect, who ran naked into a busy intersection and told first responders he had smoked synthetic marijuana prior to encountering officers, died after an officer used a Taser to subdue him.

TPD says 31-year-old Kendrell Antron Watkins was pronounced dead at Northport DCH at 2:57 a.m. — roughly an hour and a half after the incident.

Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the Violent Crimes Unit, said in a Saturday afternoon statement that a team of investigators from other agencies, not including TPD, have been composed to conduct the investigation.

"This case will be investigated with the same rigor and to the same standards as any other case the unit assumes," Kennedy said. " Once the investigation is complete, all findings will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for evaluation and possible presentation to a grand jury."

A press release said TPD officers were attempting to arrest Watkins for public lewdness after he reportedly removed his clothing and ran into traffic at the intersection of 15th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Once officers made contact with Watkins, TPD says he then led officers on a short foot chase, when the Taser was used. A struggle then apparently ensued as Watkins was being detained and medical personnel arrived on scene about seven minutes later to transport the man to DCH.

The TPD release then said officers first received reports of Watkins' behavior when a family member called officers to Cherrystone Circle Friday night, claiming he was "losing it" and causing property damage at the residence where several adults and four children live. However, Watkins left before officers arrived.

Family members also confirmed to police that Watkins had been using drugs.

Approximately an hour later, TPD's west precinct received an in-person report of a man "half dressed" in the empty parking lot of a shopping center off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. At the scene, an officer made contact with Watkins, asking him if he needed assistance.

Watkins then allegedly said no and walked off from the parking lot. However, the officer who responded to the first call concerning Watkins arrived at the shopping center and realized the man was the suspect from the complaint made at the residence earlier Friday. TPD says both officers called out to Watkins to stop, but he ran away and was later observed removing his clothing and acting erratically.

The official TPD statement goes on to say Watkins continued to run west on 15th Street and refused verbal commands to stop. At this time, the Taser was deployed by a TPD officer and Watkins was taken to the ground where a struggle commenced that lasted roughly 45 second as he was handcuffed.

As he was being transported to DCH, Watkins informed paramedics that he had smoked synthetic marijuana.

TPD then said Watkins was conscious when he arrived at the hospital and the cause of his death remains under investigation pending an autopsy and toxicology screening.

The officers involved in the case have been placed on administrative leave until the conclusion of the investigation, the department said, citing its policy.

TPD Public Information Officer Stephanie Taylor said after consulting with Tuscaloosa County District Attorney Hays Webb, the department has decided to make the body camera footage from the incident available to the public.

Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley is expected to address the media at 4 p.m. today, where the footage will be made available.