Littleton, CO – A Littleton police officer was shot while responding to a report of gunfire early Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred just after midnight in the area of West Powers Avenue and South Bannock Street, after police received a report of someone was shooting from a vehicle, Littleton Police Chief Doug Stephens said during a 6:30 a.m. press conference on Sept. 21.
Officers responded to the area and spotted a car that matched the description of the suspect vehicle.
When they tried to make contact, two occupants bailed out of the vehicle and took off on foot, leading to a foot pursuit, Chief Stephens said.
One of the suspects was running into an apartment complex on West Powers Avenue when he turned and opened fire on the officer who was chasing him, according to the chief.
The officer was struck multiple times in his torso, leg, arm, and possibly in the chest just above his vest, but he and a fellow officer were both able to return fire, Chief Stephens told reporters.
It is unknown if the suspect was hit during the shootout.
Both suspects were able to escape while the second officer was trying to help his wounded partner, Chief Stephens said.
The injured officer was rushed to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery.
He is currently in stable condition in the intensive care unit, according to the chief.
The officer was wearing a ballistic vest, which absorbed the impact of some of the rounds that struck his torso, he noted.
Chief Stephens said the officer’s family has asked for privacy and that he will not be releasing the officer’s name at this time.
Police have seized the vehicle the suspects were driving and said they are still searching for both occupants.
Investigators have not released any possible descriptions of the suspects.
He urged anyone who has information about the incident to call 911.
Chief Stephens said they have combed the area where the shooting occurred and that they do not believe there is a current immediate threat to the public.
The shelter-in-place order has been lifted, but the area remains closed while investigators continue processing the active crime scene.
“This is yet another example of the tragedies our officers face and the risk they take every single day and night out there. They put their lives on the line,” Chief Stephens said during the press conference, holding back tears. “I’m just tremendously proud of all of them.”
LITTLETON: Officer shot in serious but stable condition. Details #KDVR #KWGN. pic.twitter.com/opsJlESgAO
— jimhooley (@jimhooley) September 21, 2021
BREAKING NEWS: a Littleton police officer was shot this morning. We are getting an update from the police chief right now. He says the officer is in serious but stable condition. #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/5x2vmfrI5r
— Micah Smith (@MicahSmith_TV) September 21, 2021
We’ve been in #Littleton for a couple of hours now for a large police presence near Powers Ave. & Broadway. Still waiting to hear from Littleton PD on exactly what happened but K-9’s, Arapahoe Co. & Douglas Co. Sheriff’s deputies are among those here. @DenverChannel pic.twitter.com/plTYXXvoZW
— Veronica Acosta (@VeronicacostaTV) September 21, 2021
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