The initial investigation reveals Marion County Sheriff Deputies and a Hamilton Police Officer [...]]]>
HAMILTON– The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)’s State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), on Wednesday, Feb. 10, responded to the scene of an active shooter and subsequent double homicide in Marion County. The homicides occurred in separate locations in downtown Hamilton.

The initial investigation reveals Marion County Sheriff Deputies and a Hamilton Police Officer engaged the active shooter at a third location, the First State Bank. Additionally, a private citizen reacted and assisted law enforcement in the exchange of gunfire with the suspect.

Whereupon, the suspect Jimmy Cooper, 57, of Hamilton, was struck by gunfire and was taken into custody. SBI will investigate the officer-involved shooting involving Cooper.

The Hamilton Police Department will lead the double homicide investigation where Donny Miller, 67, and Linda Cole, 61, both of Hamilton, were killed.

“Although, we will conduct a thorough investigation of the officer-involved shooting, the initial indication is that the deputies, officer and private citizen acted without hesitation and probably prevented the further loss of life,” said Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier.

Authorities say Cooper was a patient at a mental health facility in Jasper, Alabama, earlier this year.

Suspect Cooper is recovering, suffering from non-life threatening wounds at UAB under guard by ALEA.

The Marion County District Attorney John Bostick says his office will be seeking capital murder charges against suspect Jimmy Cooper.

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