Investigators Reveal New Details In Fatal Shooting Of DCH Employee In Hospital Parking Lot

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Investigators say a 27-year-old DCH Regional Medical Center employee was randomly targeted and killed during an attempted robbery in a hospital parking lot Tuesday night, leading to a capital murder charge against a suspect authorities believe was experiencing a mental health crisis.

Click here to subscribe to our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts.

Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Commander Captain Jack Kennedy identified the victim as Ada Doss, 27, who investigators believe worked as a registered nurse or nurse case manager at DCH Regional Medical Center.

Police said officers responded to the hospital and found Doss dead from a gunshot wound in the south parking lot during a shift change.

Officers quickly located and arrested the suspect nearby while he was still armed, Kennedy said.

Investigators identified the suspect as Matthew James Taylor, 41, who has been charged with capital murder and jailed without bond.

Kennedy said surveillance video showed Taylor approached Doss while she was walking to her vehicle, displayed a handgun and attempted to steal her purse before shooting her once.

Kennedy then said Taylor later went through the victim’s purse, took her keys and attempted to steal her vehicle.

Police also said Taylor allegedly attempted to rob another woman in the parking lot moments before the fatal shooting, but that victim was able to escape by driving away.

“This was a random targeting,” Kennedy said during a Wednesday press conference. “No connection of any kind.”

Investigators believe Taylor had been dropped off at DCH earlier in the day by a family friend because he was seeking help for what authorities described as a mental health episode.

However, Kennedy said Taylor never entered the emergency room or hospital and instead remained on the DCH campus for several hours before the attacks.

“Our investigation, as well as his own statements, leads us to believe that he has symptoms of mental illness,” Kennedy said, before declining to specify on Taylor's condition.

Kennedy said police are still investigating how Taylor obtained the handgun used in the shooting.

The entire sequence involving both victims lasted less than 15 minutes, he said.

“There was no foreshadowing or anything that showed that he may have engaged in those acts before they occurred,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy also said responding officers located Taylor only feet from the crime scene shortly after the shooting.

“He had barely walked away from the area when they arrived,” Kennedy said. “The response was very quick.”

Tuscaloosa Police Chief Michael Baygents described the killing as an extremely rare type of homicide for the city.

“This is an isolated incident,” Baygents said. “We don’t experience these very often. I was talking with command staff earlier today, and I cannot remember the last time we had something of this nature.”

Baygents said Tuscaloosa police already routinely patrol DCH parking lots and business areas throughout the city but said security decisions at the hospital are ultimately up to DCH officials.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com