Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox confirmed in a press conference that Tuscaloosa Police officer Dornell Cousette was killed in the line of duty Monday while apprehending a suspect wanted on failure to appear in court for felony cases. Interim Police Chief Mitt Tubbs declined to release the name of the suspect.

Tubbs said that Cousette received information that a suspect was wanted at the 1700 block on 33^rdAvenue at approximately 6:23 p.m. When Cousette arrived on the scene, he saw the suspect on the front porch of the their residence. Upon seeing Cousette, the suspect then fled into the house and Cousette pursued. Gunshots were exchanged inside the house and both Cousette and the suspect were shot. Tubbs said that he did not know the condition of the suspect at the time of the press conference.

Cousette, aged 40, served for more than 13 years as a TPD officer. He leaves behind two daughters and was engaged to be married.