KILLEN-State investigators have been called in to investigate the two fatalities from the 2:00 pm shootout SWAT and police had with a gunman who was holed up in the Super 8 Motel with his estranged wife.

Special Agents with the Alabama Law [...]]]>

Eddie Eugene Collins (Photo courtesy of Lee County Florida Sheriff Department)

KILLEN-State investigators have been called in to investigate the two fatalities from the 2:00 pm shootout SWAT and police had with a gunman who was holed up in the Super 8 Motel with his estranged wife.

Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are investigating the officer-involved shooting, involving multiple agencies, at the request of Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler and Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton.

The incident was the result of a standoff that began Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Super 8 Motel in Killen, and ended at approximately 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7. The incident resulted in two fatalities.

Venita Keen

The gunman Eddie Eugene Collins, 43, was pronounced dead on the scene, and  his estranged wife Venita Christine Keen was transported to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be turned over to Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly.

“This is normal protocol when there is an officer-involved shooting,” said Chief Tyler. The officers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave until the investigation is complete.

Shoals Insider

The gunman and his estranged wife, who was hold up in the Super 8 Motel Standoff have both died from gunshots wounds they received in a shootout with police.

Eddie Eugene Collins, 42, and his estranged wife were shot this afternoon as the standoff came to a head. During a [...]]]>

Venita Christine Keen

The gunman and his estranged wife, who was hold up in the Super 8 Motel Standoff have both died from gunshots wounds they received in a shootout with police.

Eddie Eugene Collins, 42, and his estranged wife were shot this afternoon as the standoff came to a head.  During a press conference with Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler the female was identified as Venita Christine Keen of Lee County, Florida

Witnesses said they heard a loud explosion after 1pm. This according to officials was police attempting to breach the door of the room.

Shots were fired after the explosion and the standoff was over very quickly after police shot the two.

“It was unclear whether Ms. Keen was a hostage or an accomplice,” said Chief Tyler. “The situation changed from where it was initially,” and “they were abusing substances,” prior to the shootout.

According to police, both Collins and Keen are dead.

The standoff lasted 36 hours.

No officers were injured.

Shoals Insider

*****Our thoughts and prayers are with the Collins family and the officers involved in this situation.*****