On the heels of an extensive manhunt Friday afternoon, the suspect in an afternoon shooting turned himself in to authorities, Andalusia Police Chief Wilbur Williams said.

Thomas Ridgeway, a black male in his 30s, drove himself to the Andalusia Regional Hospital after being shot in the chest in an incident that occurred at 12:55 p.m. at 144 Murphree Street in the West Haven apartment complex.

Williams said that witnesses told police that Ridgeway went to the Murphree Street residence where he and Terrell Curry, a black male about 20, “had words.”

Ridgeway allegedly left the doorway, went to his vehicle and returned to the apartment. His confrontation with Curry.

“We believe that Ridgeway produced a weapon and there was a tussle between he and Curry,” Williams said. “The weapon discharged, striking Ridgeway in the chest.”

Williams said that Ridgeway was airlifted to Pensacola for further treatment after being treated at ARH.

Williams said an off-duty police officer, who lives in the complex, heard the altercation and reported it to APD immediately.

“The officer maintained the scene until other officers arrived,” Williams said. “The Incident Response Team (IRT), arrived and made entry into the apartment. It was discovered no one was there.”

The IRT is a group of specially-trained officers from several local law enforcement agencies who respond to high-risk situations.

Williams said a black female was seen running from the apartment, as was Curry.

“The female was located and interviewed,” he said.

When Curry, who was a suspect at the time, wasn’t found in the apartment, law enforcement officers spread out in search of him. Meanwhile, the hospital went in to lock-down mode.

Curry turned himself in at the county jail and was transported to the Andalusia Police Department for questioning.

At press- time, Williams said Curry was being interviewed and attempts were being made to locate the weapon, which was discarded after Curry left the apartment.

Williams said he would consult with the district attorney, but he does not anticipate any charges being filed.

“Mr. Curry appears to have cooperated with investigators and answered all questions,” he said.

“His statements match other statements, and we have an off-duty police officer who is a witness, so it’s not just a he said, she said. At his time it appears Ridgeway was the aggressor and Curry was defending himself.”

Williams said all on duty APD officers, members of the sheriff’s department, Opp Police Department and probation and parole assisted in the investigation.