Police: Alabama officer shot, suspect dead following chase

FLORENCE, Ala. – Alabama authorities say a police officer has been shot and the suspect has died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

Florence Police Sgt. Brad Holmes tells The Associated Press the officer was shot in the face just after midnight Sunday at Cox Creek Parkway and Cloverdale Road. Holmes says no motive was immediately available.

Holmes says the white officer was approached by the male suspect, who is also white, at an intersection before the suspect fired shots at the officer. No other details were provided.

Holmes says the officer is in stable condition and in “good spirits” at Huntsville Hospital. Holmes says the officer is expected to be released from hospital later on Sunday.

Police are withholding the names of the officer and suspect, pending family notification.

Police say following a vehicle chase just after 1 a.m., the suspect crashed in a church parking lot and fired multiple gunshots at officers, who didn’t return fire.

Holmes says the suspect was found in his vehicle with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.