VCU: Man Killed In Tuscaloosa Officer-Involved Shooting Had Handgun, Refused To Comply

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit says the man shot and killed by Tuscaloosa Police officers on Wednesday was armed with a handgun and refused to comply with demands by officers during a traffic stop on a public road in Bowers Park.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the multiagency unit, told local media Wednesday night that the vehicle was occupied by several subjects when the two TPD officers initiated a traffic stop as part of a narcotics investigation on 37th Street East, near the intersection of James I. Harrison Parkway.

Kennedy said the man in the back seat was found to have an outstanding warrant. He then explained that when the officer was asking the man to exit he vehicle, the officer observed a handgun in the man's waistband.

A vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation by TPD narcotics officers on 37th Street East near the intersection of James I Harrison Pkwy.

"The officer ordered the suspect to not touch the firearm," Kennedy said. "The suspect began reaching for the pistol and the officer engaged in a physical altercation with the suspect attempting to keep the suspect from removing it."

Kennedy then said the suspect — who has not been publicly identified as of the publication of this story — was able to remove the handgun from his waistband and refused commands from officers to drop the gun.

"One officer fired his weapon and the suspect was struck several times," Kennedy said. "Medical and back-up officers were called immediately and rendered aid, but the suspect was deceased."

Kennedy said the man's next-of-kin had been notified and his name would be released at a later time.

He went on to say the investigation remains ongoing and will be evaluated by the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney's office before being sent to a grand jury, which is standard procedure in cases involving law enforcement's use of deadly force.

"This just occurred, " Kennedy explained to reporters earlier in the day. "I know in the modern era of cell phones things move quickly but we have to do this in order. ... I don't want to get it wrong. This is going to be a transparent process but it's going to be done methodically, the same as any other. There's some extra steps to add some extra care in this case to be fair and as just as possible."

As Patch previously reported, the case is being investigated by the multiagency Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, which is following the longstanding protocol of investigating the case without VCU personnel employed by the Tuscaloosa Police Department.

Per Tuscaloosa Police Department protocol, both officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave.

During Wednesday afternoon's press conference at the Sheriff Beasor B. Walker Law Enforcement Complex, Tuscaloosa Police Chief Brent Blankley joined Kennedy and asked the community to be patient as the investigation moves forward.

"Based on the facts I have, I'm confident our officers acted the way they need to have acted to make sure they go home safe," Blankley said. "We're going to be there for our officers, as well, and make sure they get any mental health treatment that they need after going through a traumatic event. It's traumatic for everybody involved and no one wants to see this at all."

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