Tuscaloosa man faces multiple charges after police pursuit ended in shooting
A 33-year-old Tuscaloosa man faces multiple charges after a domestic violence report led to a crash and an officer-involved shooting Tuesday evening.
Tuscaloosa police charged Jamarcus Dewayne Garrett, 33, with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, one count of first-degree domestic violence burglary and one count of first degree robbery..
Capt. Jack Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit said Tuscaloosa police were called to the same residence multiple times Tuesday , with the first call received at 7:34 p.m.
Kennedy said a woman told police that Garrett arrived at her home, forced his way inside and got into an argument with her. She also said that Garrett was armed with a handgun and took the keys to her residence before leaving in a silver Dodge Avenger.
Kennedy said the woman had been romantically involved with Garrett, but had broken up with him. The woman had filed an application for protection from abuse order against Garrett and the court date was pending.
At around 9:31 p.m. the woman and witnesses heard gunshots being fired near their residence and observed a silver Dodge Avenger on the street. Tuscaloosa police responded and took another report.
The woman later discovered that her car had been struck multiple times by gunfire and left her residence to seek safety. Police began patrolling and searching for the vehicle.
Later that evening, at 11:47 p.m. , Kennedy said the woman's neighbors called and reported that her residence was on fire. The Tuscaloosa Police Department and the Tuscaloosa Fire Department responded and found the residence had fire damage, which they believe to be the result of arson.
Kennedy said Garrett was also suspected of being involved in setting the fire.
Minutes later, at 11:54 p.m. the silver Dodge Avenger was spotted by Tuscaloosa police patrol officers, who attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver fled, resulting in a police pursuit. Kennedy said the driver began firing a handgun at officers during the pursuit. Two police vehicles were struck by the gunfire.
Kennedy said the driver then crashed into two private vehicles that were stopped at a red light at the intersection of McFarland Boulevard and 15th Street. After striking the two vehicles, the driver crashed into several power poles and came to a stop. The crash took place at around 12:03 a.m. along Veterans Memorial Parkway near University Mall.
Tuscaloosa police activated the department's Special Response Team and the driver was eventually removed from the vehicle. The driver, who police identified as Garrett, had a gunshot wound to his his neck. Garrett was taken to a secure medical facility where he is receiving treatment. Kennedy said Garrett is listed in stable condition.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the shooting.
Garrett has a $2,000,000 cash bond for the attempted murder charges, but will be jailed without bond for the burglary and robbery charges because of Aniah's Law. Passed in November 2022, Aniah's Law allows judges to deny bond to suspects who are charged with committing violent crimes.
Kennedy said more charges are likely as the investigation continues.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa man faces multiple charges after police pursuit, shooting
