Hollingsworth charged w/capital murder

MOBILE, Ala. - Mobile Police Officer Brandon Sigler, 26-years-old, was shot and killed late Tuesday night.

It happened just before midnight at the Tyler Ridge Apartment Complex near Schillinger Road.

Investigators say Sigler was trying to break up a fight, when 18-year-old Richard Joseph Hollingsworth pulled the trigger.

"It is a capital offense to kill a police officer when he is trying to do his job," said Assistant Mobile County District Attorney, Nikki Patterson.

Patterson says Hollingsworth is charged with capital murder, possession of an altered firearm and possession of marijuana.

What's more surprising though, is police say that altered firearm was actually stolen from a Mobile County Sheriff's Deputy.

"The weapon that was used in the slaying of the officer is a Ruger .380 caliber pistol," said Deputy Chief, James Barber. "That pistol was taken in an auto burglary last July from a personal vehicle of a Deputy Sheriff in Mobile County."

Police say Hollingsworth fled the scene after Sigler was shot.

"He had made certain arrangements to pack up and appeared to be leaving town," Barber said.

But now, he just regrets what happened.

"I'm so sorry, I'll never be able to say it enough," Hollingsworth said as he was escorted to a police car Wednesday morning.

The entire police force feels the same way. "This was a young officer that was engaged to be married. He was closing on a house. It's a tragedy, not just for the police department, but for the country and our community as a whole."

Hollingsworth's bond hearing should be set for Thursday morning. The District Attorney's Office is seeking no bond.