HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – A Huntsville Police Department (HPD) officer was killed and another officer was critically injured after responding to a ‘shots fired’ call on Tuesday.
The shooting happened at the Governors House Apartments on Governors House Drive.
HPD says the officers were answering the ‘shots fired’ call around 4:45 p.m., and when officers arrived, a female victim was located.
The two responding officers were shot by an offender at the scene and were transported to Huntsville Hospital with life-threatening injuries, where one officer later died from his injuries.
That officer was identified as Garrett Crumby by Attorney General Steve Marshall. Marshall also identified the injured officer as Albert Morin.
On Wednesday, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said Officer Morin was in serious condition but was expected to survive.
(Photo: Huntsville Police Department)
(Photo: Huntsville Police Department)
HPD Chief Kirk Giles said the other officer underwent emergency surgery and remains in critical condition, as of 10 p.m. The female shooting victim is at the hospital receiving treatment.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has charged Juan Robert Laws, 24, with capital murder of a law enforcement officer. He was booked into the Madison County Jail just before 11 p.m.
“This is a devastating loss for our department, the Huntsville community and the State of Alabama, HPD Chief Kirk Giles said. “We send our heartfelt condolences to the officer’s family as they mourn their loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice. 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.”
“This is a painful night for the City of Huntsville and for our police family,” Mayor Tommy Battle said. “We are heartbroken. Words cannot express our loss. 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.”
“Last night, Alabama lost yet another hero in blue and public servant who faithfully served our state and the city of Huntsville. Once again, our state and the law enforcement community will have to find a way to endure the heavy loss of Officer Crumby, who gave his life while fulfilling his sworn duty to protect the public ahead of his own personal safety,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “In addition to Officer Crumby’s heroic sacrifice, our thoughts and prayers are also with his colleague, Officer Albert Morin, who was also struck by gunfire over the course of the incident. Officer Morin currently remains in the hospital in serious condition, but thankfully, is expected to survive.”
“My prayers go out to the Crumby family and I pray that Officer Morin is able to recover quickly. They courageously put their lives in peril to help a woman held hostage and did so with honor and without hesitation. We will always remember their sacrifice and service,” stated Rep. Anthony Daniels. “Our community is deeply saddened by this horrible and cowardly act of violence against our police as they work tirelessly to keep our neighborhoods safe. There is no way to express the depth of our sorrow and grief.”
HPD has received a number of requests to make donations. Private funds are being established through Redstone Federal Credit Union to help support the officers’ families.
Officials said condolences can be sent to the Crumby family and get-well cards can be sent to Officer Morin c/o HPD P.O. Box 2085 Huntsville, AL 35804.
Crumby was transported by Madison County Coroner Dr. Tyler Berryhill on Tuesday night to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Huntsville.
You can watch the processional here:
Crumby’s autopsy was performed on Wednesday, and Dr. Tyler Berryhill confirmed Crumby’s death resulted from the gunshot wounds he sustained during the incident.
Huntsville Police Department held its first press conference on the shooting around 7 p.m. Here is the full replay:
Several officials and other agencies spoke out after the shooting:
News 19 will continue to update this story as we continue to learn more.
