Police: Metro officer, 31, in critical condition after shooting

Staff and wire reports

Published Tuesday, March 23, 2010 | 10:21 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, March 24, 2010 | 12:37 p.m.

UPDATED STORY: Metro identifies wounded officer, suspect in shooting

A 31-year-old officer was shot multiple times while chasing a car theft and residential burglary suspect and is in critical condition after emergency surgery.

Metro spokeswoman Officer Barbara Morgan said today the officer is a five-year police veteran. His name hasn't been made public.

The officer was shot several times Tuesday, suffering life-threatening injuries after running after a man suspected of stealing a car and trying to break into a home earlier in the day, police said.

A second officer returned fire and killed the suspect in the backyard of a residence near Rainbow Boulevard and Washington Avenue.

The wounded officer was taken to University Medical Center at about 9 p.m. Tuesday and immediately taken into surgery, police said.

Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie said at the hospital Tuesday night that doctors were “doing everything they can right now to keep him alive.”

Gillespie said he had spoken with the officer’s family. “They’re, of course, very concerned, but...we’re hoping for the best right now,” he said.

The deceased suspect and a second man stole a Mercedes Tuesday morning, then tried to break into a house in the afternoon but fled when confronted by the homeowner, Metro spokesman Bill Cassell said.

Patrol officers pulled up behind the Mercedes just before 9 p.m., ran the vehicle’s plates and realized it had been reported stolen, police said.

When the officers tried to pull the car over, the driver failed to stop. After a brief chase, one of the suspects fled on foot, hopping over fences and running through several backyards before firing a handgun at the officer, Metro Capt. Randy Montandon said.

“Several shots were fired by the suspect,” Montandon said. “One of our officers was hit several times.”

The other suspect in the Mercedes was arrested at the car, police said.

Police haven’t released the names of the suspects or the identities of the injured officer and the other officer involved in the shooting.

The officer who fired the shots will be placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard department policy. Authorities will release the officer’s name within 48 hours of the shooting.

“This is another clear indication to all of us just how dangerous our profession is,” Gillespie said.