Officer dies, suspect arrested in Alabama shooting

In this Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 photo, Tuscaloosa Police officers and Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit investigators work at the scene where Tuscaloosa Police Investigator Dornell Cousette, was shot and killed in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Cousette was attempting to serve a warrant on a man in the city's West End when the suspect opened fire. Cousette was able to return fire, wounding the shooter. The suspect was later taken into custody by Tuscaloosa Police. (Gary Cosby Jr./The Tuscaloosa News via AP) In this Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 photo, Tuscaloosa Police officers and Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit investigators work at the scene where Tuscaloosa Police Investigator Dornell Cousette, was shot and killed in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Cousette was attempting to serve a warrant on a man in the city's West End when the suspect opened fire. Cousette was able to return fire, wounding the shooter. The suspect was later taken into custody by Tuscaloosa Police. (Gary Cosby Jr./The Tuscaloosa News via AP)

By Associated Press September 17, 2019 2 min read

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) – A Tuscaloosa police officer who pursued a wanted man into a house after spotting him outside was shot to death while trying to make the arrest, authorities said.

Officer Dornell Cousette, 40, was killed Monday night after exchanging gunfire with the man inside the home, interim Police Chief Mitch Tubbs told a news conference.

The 20-year-old suspect, who was wounded, was arrested. Authorities didn’t immediately release his name or the extent of his injures.

With a bail bondsman on the scene, Cousette got information that a man wanted for failing to appear on felony warrants was at a residence, authorities said. The man went inside and the officer followed him inside before shots rang out.

Cousette was an Army veteran who had been with the police department for 13 years. He was engaged and had two daughters.