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.
Watkins, who also was hurt, left the scene but was later apprehended at a Northport hospital, AL.com reported.
WIAT reported that Watkins is still recovering from his wounds. He is not eligible for bond, authorities said.
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.
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