The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a man was shot and killed early Saturday morning by a Tuscaloosa Police Department officer.
The incident happened at the Whataburger on McFarland Boulevard around 1:30 a.m.
In a press conference Saturday morning, Sgt. Josh Hastings from the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division said police were responding to a trespassing call for a male suspect, who he identified as Joseph Driver.
“At approximately 1:30 this morning, officers with the Tuscaloosa Police Department were called to the Whataburger on McFarland Boulevard in reference to a subject who was trespassing,” Hastings said. “Upon their arrival, they made contact with that individual identified as Joseph Earl Driver, a white male, 36 years of age. As they were attempting to place him into custody, he pulled out a knife and cut one of the officers -- at which time they discharged their firearms, striking him multiple times, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“The violent crimes unit was called out to assist in processing the scene,” Hastings continued. “None of them were Tuscaloosa Police Department employees, due to the officers being from Tuscaloosa involved in the shooting. And both officers have been placed on administrative leave per policy at this time, so the investigation is still ongoing.”
Hastings said the officer who was cut sought medical attention and “is going to be fine.”