Officer recovering after being shot during scuffle with burglary suspect

By Ana Ley

Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 | 6 p.m.

An officer who was shot during a scuffle with a suspected burglar late Friday has been released from the hospital and is recovering today, police said.

The unidentified officer was shot while responding to a burglary at a plumbing business in the 4700 block of Quality Court near Tropicana Avenue and Decatur Boulevard about 11 p.m., Lt. Ken Romane said.

Romane said an alarm at the business went off late Friday, so the shop’s owner reset it before it went off again. The owner told police he walked to the back of the business and saw two men, so he called police.

Two officers responded to the apparent burglary attempt and called for backup after confronting the two suspects. A scuffle erupted, and the officer was shot in the leg. It was not clear Saturday how the weapon went off or to whom it belonged.

After a short chase on foot, both of the suspects were detained and arrested on burglary charges. The man who caused the gun to fire will likely face additional charges, Romane said.

The officer did not fire any rounds, Romane said. Citing the ongoing investigation, police could not say Saturday what the men were apparently trying to steal.

Both suspects had apparently suffered minor injuries from climbing over razor wire at the business park.

Police have not yet identified either of the suspects or the injured officer.