Linden police officer shot Sunday morning

Linden police officer Lt. Demetrius Marshall was shot Sunday at approximately 1:15 a.m. while breaking up a fight at the local Chevron station.

“It was straight through his thigh, about two inches down from where the leg bends,” Linden police chief Scott McClure said. “He’s got a bullet burn on the outside of his stomach.”

Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital in Demopolis treated and released Marshall, who suffered no damage to bones or arteries in the incident.

According to McClure, the altercation began at an out-of-town club and resumed when the involved parties returned to Linden. Marshall was on scene at the Chevron station attempting to disperse the crowd and bring an end to the incident.

Marshall reportedly informed one individual, Jonathan Tate, that he was under arrest. Tate’s alleged resisting of the arrest prompted Marshall to utilize his stun gun on the man.

According to McClure, a second man, Travis Tate, engaged Marshall in a confrontation after seeing his brother stunned by the officer. The confrontation ended when a third man, believed to be LaKendrick Rogers, emerged from the crowd and shot Marshall in the leg.

“When he Tased him, the boy’s brother came up and started fighting with him and then a guy came out of the crowd and shot him,” McClure said.

All three men left the scene. The Linden Police Department arrested Rogers, the suspected shooter, at a family member’s home without incident later in the morning. Rogers is currently charged with Assault I.

“We believe that is the shooter,” McClure said of Rogers.

The department also arrested Jonathan and Travis Tate. Jonathan Tate is currently charged with Disorderly Conduct, Resisting Arrest and Escape. Travis Tate is charged with Assault I, Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest.

Marshall has been with the Linden Police Department for four years.

McClure believes the incident is the first of its kind for the city of Linden.

“This is a first. It’s one of those things you never want to have to deal with. I hope to never have to deal with it again. Everything after the fact went as well as it could as far as the apprehension,” McClure said. “I only know of one officer ever being hurt on duty in Linden and that was back in the 50s.”

Check back at WestAlabamaWatchman.com for further details as they become available.