A Tuscaloosa County man took his own life Tuesday when law enforcement officers responded to his Cottondale home on a report of possible child sex abuse.

Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched about 6:30 p.m. to a home in the area of Whispering Lane.

Violent Crimes Unit Capt. Jack Kennedy said a report was made alleging that a family member had criminal sexual contact with children living at the home. The VCU was called to the location because the unit investigates all allegations of sexual assault within Tuscaloosa County, regardless of age of the victim and maintains a separate section of trained investigators that work the cases, he said.

While awaiting the investigators’ arrival, deputies made contact with the suspect in the backyard of his residence. The suspect was armed with a pistol, and began making threats of suicide, and of wanting law enforcement to kill him, Kennedy said.

“Deputies established a tight perimeter and contained the suspect.  All nearby civilians were moved for safety,’’ Kennedy said. “Multiple other units arrived to assist, and this resulted in the large police presence.”

The suspect refused to put down his gun. Kennedy said a trained sheriff’s negotiator arrived and spoke with the suspect for several hours, “but the suspect chose to shoot himself with his own firearm.”

Paramedics were on the scene and rendered immediate medical assistance.  The suspect was critically injured and was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Kennedy said VCU Sexual Assault Section will continue the investigation into the alleged sexual abuse and/or assault. The Alabama Department of Human Resources, The Children Center, and other partners, will provide assistance and support to the victims and family.

No law enforcement officer fired any shots, Kennedy said. The VCU Violent Crimes Section will conduct the investigation into the suspect’s death. No investigator affiliated with the sheriff’s office will be involved in the probe.