Advertisement Tuscaloosa police officer killed in line of duty, 20-year-old charged

Latest on the deadly officer-involved shooting in Tuscaloosa, Alabama:Tuesday, 4 p.m.The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office identified the suspect in Monday's deadly officer-involved shooting as 20-year-old Luther Watkins, Jr. Authorities said Watkins is charged with capital murder in the shooting death of 40-year-old Tuscaloosa Police Officer Dornell Cousette. "An investigation has determined that Investigator Cousette was murdered while attempting to lawfully arrest Luther Watkins," said Lt. Jack Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit.Watkins, who was injured by gunfire, is being treated at an undisclosed location for "security reasons," Kennedy said. He is being held without bond.—Monday, 9:45 p.m.Authorities are investigating a shooting that claimed the life of a Tuscaloosa police officer late Monday afternoon.Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said 40-year-old Dornell Cousette, a father of two daughters who had been with the Tuscaloosa Police Department for more than a decade. Maddox said Cousette was engaged to be married. "In our community, our heroes wear the police uniform of the Tuscaloosa Police Department. And tonight, one of our heroes has died in the line of duty, protecting our city," Maddox said. "It is my sad and solemn duty to announce the passing of Dornell Cousette, age 40, 13-plus-year veteran of the Tuscaloosa Police Department, a father of two daughters and engaged to be married."Interim Chief Mitt Tubbs joined Maddox at the news conference to share the tragic news and said Cousette exchanged gunfire with a suspect inside a house in the 3300 block of 33rd Avenue. "Every time you hear the phone ring, you hope that it's not this call," Tubbs said. "And unfortunately, today it was this call.""He was well thought of throughout the department," Tubbs addded. "He was a hero. He was a hero." Cousette's body was escorted by police to Montgomery, where an autopsy is planned.The chief said the suspect, who was wanted on a felony failure to appear warrant, was wounded in the shooting. The suspect's condition is unknown at this time.The city of Tuscaloosa said on social media at 8:35 p.m. that the suspect is in custody and "there is no further danger." Look for updates here and on WVTM 13 News. Grab the WVTM 13 app for the latest on this developing story.STREAMING:WVTM 13 on FacebookWVTM 13 on Twitter REACTION:Jay Town, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama "Our thoughts and prayers tonight remain with this Tuscaloosa PD Officer who was yet another victim of violence against law enforcement while in the line and now fights for life. We hold vigil for him, his family, and all of TPD."Birmingham Police Department"Chief Patrick Smith and the Birmingham Police Department stands with the women and men of the Tuscaloosa Police Department. Our prayers are with the downed officer and his family."The Birmingham Police Department is completely saddened by the loss of Tuscaloosa Police Officer Dornell Cousette. Our thoughts and prayers are with the TPD and the officer’s family."U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne"There is no punishment strong enough for those who attack our police officers. Prayers for the @TuscaloosaPD officer, his family, and the Tuscaloosa community."Everette Johnson, Alabama State FOP President "Pray for Tuscaloosa PD. We stand ready to assist."Chief Bill Partridge, Oxford Police Department"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Tuscaloosa Police Department as they have had an officer shot this afternoon."Bessemer Police Department"Now we mourn the loss of another guardian, Investigator Dornell Cousette. His sacrifice will not be in vain. Rest easy brother, you answered your final call. We’ll take it from here 🙏🏾 @TuscaloosaPD #BackTheBlue #HoldtheLine"Pelham Police DepartmentThis is Dornell Cousette. He was a @TuscaloosaPD officer, and he was murdered doing his job tonight. He had a fiancé and two children.Share this. #EnoughIsEnoughMunford Police Department"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Tuscaloosa Police Department and the officer that is injured."Florence Police Department"Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters of the Tuscaloosa Police Department, especially the officer shot in the line of duty. #bluelinefamily"—WVTM 13 on Facebook—WVTM 13 on Twitter —