TPD Officers Released From DCH, Suspect Shot During Exchange

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A manhunt lasting a little more than an hour resulted in the arrest of a suspect accused of shooting a Tuscaloosa Police officer in the bulletproof vest when officers responded to a call at The Links Monday afternoon off of Highway 69 South.

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The Tuscaloosa Police Department confirmed to local media shortly after the incident that the officer shot was transported to DCH with injuries not thought to be life-threatening, as the protective vest proved effective in stopping the bullet and resulted in only bruised ribs for the officer. A least one other officer suffered a "less serious" injury during the call, but TPD did not provide further details.

Both officers had been treated at DCH for their injuries and released by 7 p.m., while the suspect remains hospitalized and will not be identified until he is formally charged. Despite not releasing his name, Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Commander Captain Jack Kennedy said the suspect was found to be a wanted in Mississippi for an assault with a deadly weapon charge.

"The suspect is currently being treated for his injuries [a single gunshot wound], and warrants have been obtained for three counts of attempted murder," he said. "Due to security issues the suspect’s name and photo will not be released until the suspect’s formal booking."

In an update Monday night that provided more clarity to the situation, TPD said the officers were called to the apartment complex at 1800 Links Boulevard at 3:42 p.m. Monday on reports that a man had been walking around the property with a gun in his pocket. Officers arrived and found the 20-year-old man on the golf course, where he allegedly refused to acknowledge multiple commands to stop and drop his weapon. TPD says the officers pursued the man to an out building near th lake area and exchanged gunfire in the process, at which point the TPD officer was hit in the vest and the suspect was also struck.

A large multi-agency police and emergency operations presence locked down the apartment complex shortly after 4 p.m. and at least one helicopter could be seen overhead circling the property. Tuscaloosa Police Department spokeswoman Stephanie Taylor confirmed that the suspect was located at approximately 5:09 p.m. after hiding for more than an hour in the grass area and shallow water at the edge of the lake behind the complex.

The suspect reportedly surrendered to police without incident and was then transported to DCH to be treated for a gunshot wound not thought to be life-threatening, with Chief Brent Blankley riding along in the ambulance.

“I’m proud of the way these officers responded, in this dangerous situation where their lives and the lives of others were in serious danger,” Blankley said Monday night. “We are very fortunate no one was seriously injured and that the bulletproof vest saved an officer’s life today.”

Taylor then said Blankley and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox both met with the officers at DCH, before the mayor took to social media to praise their efforts.

"At DCH Healthcare System this evening, I had the opportunity to visit with our two officers who were injured in the line of duty, and express the City’s sincere appreciation for their bravery under fire," Maddox said in a statement on Facebook. "Their courageous actions remind us all how fortunate we are to have TPD serving our community. I also want to thank Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue and the DCH Health System for providing outstanding response and care to our heroes."

The multi-agency Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit has assumed the investigation. Investigators in the unit who are not employed by TPD will conduct the criminal investigation to determine what charges the suspect will face, while TPD will also reportedly conduct an internal investigation.

Citing department policy, TPD says the three officers involved will remain on administrative leave until the conclusion of the investigation.

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