TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Police in Alabama have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of Tuscaloosa police Officer Dornell Cousette.
Here are the latest updates:
Update 5:31 a.m. EDT Sept. 18: According to WIAT, 20-year-old Luther Bernard Watkins Jr. is facing a capital murder charge in the death of Cousette, who was slain Monday during a shootout at a Tuscaloosa home, authorities said.
WIAT reported that Watkins is still recovering from his wounds. He is not eligible for bond, authorities said.
Watkins, who also was hurt, left the scene but was later apprehended at a Northport hospital, AL.com reported.
Original report: An Alabama police officer has died following a shootout with a suspect at a Tuscaloosa home, authorities said.
According to AL.com, Tuscaloosa police Officer Dornell Cousette, 40, was attempting to serve a warrant just before 6:30 p.m. Monday when the suspect, who had been sitting on the porch, fled inside the home. As the pair exchanged fire, Cousette suffered a gunshot wound to the face and the suspect, who also was hurt, left the scene, officials said.
First responders rushed Cousette to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead, AL.com reported.
Authorities later apprehended the suspect, a 20-year-old man, at a Northport hospital, the outlet reported. Officials have not released his name.
At a news conference Monday night, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox described Cousette, who had been with the police department for more than 13 years, as a hero, WVTM reported.
"Tonight, let us give thanks for the heroes of the Tuscaloosa Police Department," Maddox said, according to the Tuscaloosa News. "Let us give thanks for Investigator Cousette."
Cousette, a U.S. Army veteran, is survived by two daughters and a fiancee, AL.com reported.