Tuscaloosa Police ID Victim Killed in Stabbing That May Have Been Self-Defense

Investigators in Tuscaloosa have identified a 38-year-old man who died Friday morning after a stabbing at an apartment complex that may have been an act of self-defense.

Captain Jack Kennedy, the commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, said police were called to Claybrook Apartments in Alberta around 6 a.m. Thursday.

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There, they found 38-year-old Willie Dejuan Crooks suffering from stab wounds.

Crooks was rushed to DCH Regional Medical Center for treatment of his wounds, but did not survive.

Kennedy said investigators took a female suspect into custody, but after interviewing the woman and several third-party witnesses, police ran into "potential self-defense issues."

The woman, who was reportedly in a relationship with Crooks, has not been arrested or charged with any crime at this time, and the VCU did not identify her by name.

Now, the VCU will collect more physical evidence and conduct more interviews until all the facts are in hand, then present that case to a grand jury, who will ultimately decide if the woman should face charges.

Stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread for updates on this case and all other crime and courts news in West Alabama.