Links Shooting Suspect Was Wanted Fugitive from Mississippi

The 20-year-old man believed to be responsible for shooting at Tuscaloosa Police Officers at the Links apartment complex and golf course Monday afternoon is a wanted fugitive out of Mississippi, investigators said late Monday night.

Captain Jack Kennedy, the commander of the multi-agency Violent Crimes Unit, said the VCU has taken over investigation of the shooting. Although some serve in the unit, no TPD officers will be involved in the investigation.

Kennedy, a Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's deputy, said the suspect who fired on TPD officers and struck one in his bulletproof vest has been identified as a fugitive wanted in Mississippi, where he is accused of assault with a deadly weapon.

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Kennedy also confirmed for the first time that the TPD officers on the scene returned fire on the suspect, who was found to be shot in the hand when he surrendered to law enforcement officers around 5 o'clock Monday afternoon.

He is still being treated at an area hospital, but Kennedy said VCU investigators have obtained warrants to charge the 20-year-old suspect with three counts of attempted murder.

The suspect's name and mugshot were not released late Monday night, and Kennedy said due to security concerns, they will not be given publicly until the man is discharged from the hospital, officially charged in the shooting and formally booked in the Tuscaloosa County Jail where his safety can be guaranteed.

Stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread for more details as they become available.