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Alabama detective killed by ex-boyfriend who violated protective order, authorities say

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A female detective in Alabama died early Monday morning in what authorities are saying was a domestic disturbance involving her ex-boyfriend, from whom she had previously sought protection.

Montgomery police Detective Tanisha Pughsley, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene in the 6700 block of Overview Drive, according to city officials. Pughsley, who was off-duty at the time, had been with the police department since 2016.

Brandon Deshawn Webster, 24, has been charged with capital murder, capital murder during the course of a burglary and attempted murder, Montgomery County Detention Center records show. He is being held without bond on the murder charges.

His bail on the attempted murder charge was set at $150,000. According to AL.com, the attempted murder charge stems from several shots Webster fired at Jeremy Terrell Walker.

Webster was no longer at the scene when police and paramedics arrived but was quickly identified as a suspect, AL.com reported. He was later taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Early this morning, MPD and Fire Medics responded to the 6700 block of Overview Drive in reference to a subject shot. At...

Posted by City of Montgomery, Alabama Government on Monday, July 6, 2020

“Our entire community today mourns the death of one of our own, Tanisha Pughsley,” Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said in a statement. “Detective Pughsley answered the call to serve, defend and protect our city. We stand today with her family, friends, colleagues and all who loved her, praying for comfort, peace and healing during this tragic time.”

Reed ordered that all city flags be lowered to half-staff in honor of Pughsley. Black mourning wreaths were also placed on the doors to the police department.

Pughsley was a graduate of Alabama State University in Montgomery.

“We are saddened to share the passing of ASU alumna, Tanisha Pughsley, who was a detective with the Montgomery Police Department,” Quinton Ross Jr., president of the university, said in a statement. “Tanisha earned a degree in criminal justice from ASU and was a member of the Hornets bowling team.

“Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized. We offer our deepest condolences and prayers to her family and coworkers.”

Lloria James, chief deputy district attorney for Montgomery County, told the Montgomery Advertiser that Webster’s capital murder charge has the added enhancement of the alleged crime having taken place while a court-ordered protective order was in place.

Court records obtained by the Advertiser showed that Pughsley filed for a protective order May 22, citing a physical assault that occurred two days prior. The detective wrote that Webster had hit her twice in the head while she was holding an infant, whom AL.com identified as Pughsley’s 5-month-old godchild.

Chief Patrick Smith and The Birmingham Police Department would like to extend our condolences to the family of Detective...

Posted by Birmingham Police Department, Alabama on Tuesday, July 7, 2020

“His actions caused me to drop the infant,” Pughsley wrote, according to the newspaper. “Although Brandon has moved out of the residence, he continues to unexpectedly show up and physically assault me. He sends threatening text messages and once he is blocked, he continues to call my phone private.”

Pughsley wrote that Webster had stolen from her, stalked her and threatened her. Her final request on the application was that he be forced to surrender any firearms in his possession.

The protective order was granted – but without that caveat, the Advertiser reported. The order was to remain in effect until December.