1 Alabama Officer Dead, Another in Critical Condition After Shooting in Huntsville

A police car in Mobile, Ala., in December 2016. (Google Maps)

One police officer is dead and another is suffering life-threatening injuries after a shooting in Huntsville, Alabama, on Tuesday, according to police.

According to a statement released by the Huntsville Police Department (HPD), officers responded to the shooting call at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday in the 4600 block of Governors House Drive.

When they arrived at the scene, the officers discovered a female shooting victim, according to a separate police statement.

The shooting suspect then fired at the two responding officers at the scene, police said. One officer was later transported to Huntsville Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The second officer, who police noted is female, remains in critical condition following the incident.

Their identities have not been released at this time.

The offender barricaded himself inside an apartment at the scene.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office responded and assisted HPD. The offender was apprehended at about 6:20 p.m. and transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

HPD Deputy Chief Michael Johnson told reporters the female shooting victim called 911 and indicated she “had been shot.”

“We had a barricaded subject for a little over an hour and then about 6.20 [p.m.] we were able to take that subject into custody,” Johnson said. “That subject also was injured and has been transported to the hospital.”

In the statement, HPD Chief Kirk Giles said the death was a “devastating loss” for the department, community, and Alabama.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to the officer’s family as they mourn their loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice,“ he said. ”As we grieve with our fallen officer’s family, we have another officer fighting for his life. Please keep all our officers and the entire department in your prayers.”

The offender and the female shooting victim are at the hospital receiving treatment.

Mayor Tommy Battle said it had been a “painful night” for the city.

“We are heartbroken. Words cannot express our loss,” Battle said in the same statement. “We have been overwhelmed by the show of love and support from our community, and we stand united with our police officers and their families in this tragic moment.”

Police said the deceased officer will be transported by Madison County Coroner on Tuesday night to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville, where an autopsy will be performed on Wednesday morning.