Man charged with attempted murder after Tuscaloosa mental health officer fired during a fight

Authorities said a man has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly gained control of a Tuscaloosa mental health officer’s gun, which discharged during a fight late Monday morning.

Cedric Leon Tinker, 44, was reported to Tuscaloosa police by family who said Tinker had “experienced some type of mental health issues” over the past few days, said Capt. John Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit.

Tuscaloosa police dispatched mental health officers to the 3600 block of Stillman Boulevard around 10:45 a.m. Monday, Kennedy said.

Police decided to take Tinker to the hospital for evaluation after meeting with his family, social workers, interviewing Tinker and reviewing the events that occurred last week.

Tinker refused and became aggressive; Kennedy said he physically resisted arrest, assaulting and threatening several officers.

As officers tried to keep Tinker on the ground, the suspect allegedly took one of his weapons and took control of it.

Kennedy said shots were fired once during the fight, but no one was hit.

Ultimately, multiple officers were able to recover the gun and arrest Tinker.

The Violent Crimes Unit was then called in to investigate the incident, resulting in Tinker being charged with attempted murder, disarming a law enforcement officer and second-degree assault.

Tinker is being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond.