Suspect Gets 40 Years For 2021 Police Shooting At The Links

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A man will serve 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to shooting a Tuscaloosa Police officer in his bulletproof vest during a foot chase at The Links in 2021.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

Devonte Lavon Farmer, who was 20 at the time of the shooting, was sentenced Wednesday by Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Allen May.

As Patch previously reported, Farmer was charged with attempted murder after he exchanged gunfire with police during the incident and suffered a non-lethal gunshot wound to the hand.

ALSO READ — COLUMN: Officer Shooting Underscores Need For Swift Civic Action

Both officers injured in the shooting were treated at DCH Regional Medical Center and released that day, with the officer shot in the bulletproof vest suffering only bruised ribs.

Citing department protocol, all three officers were initially placed on administrative leave until the conclusion of the investigation.

The other officer injured, according to Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley, was backing up the other officers and returning fire when she fell and broke her wrist in multiple places.

Farmer had no criminal record in Alabama prior to the shooting but was wanted for assault with a deadly weapon in Noxubee County, Mississippi.

Investigators also learned that Farmer was a suspect in shootings in several other different jurisdictions in Mississippi.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com