Sandy MaloneBirmingham, AL – A Birmingham police officer was shot in the line of duty on Wednesday and one suspect is still at large.
Birmingham Police Department Public Information Officer Rodarius Mauldin confirmed that an officer had been wounded but had no information about his condition, WIAT reported.
Birmingham Fire and Rescue said a second person who is not a police officer was also wounded and had been transported to University of Alabama – Birmingham Hospital.
The incident occurred in the 1000-block Tuscaloosa Avenue S.W. near Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and Hemphill Elementary School, AL.com reported.
The school was already closed for special cleaning when the shooting happened.
Police have not yet released any details about led up to the gunfight but witnesses said they heard as many as 20 shots during the gun battle, AL.com reported.
Police have said they have one suspect in custody and that a second suspect may have also been shot before he absconded.
There is a manhunt underway for the second suspect.
UPDATE: Police said the sergeant was shot after he stopped a vehicle that contained auto theft suspects at about 12:45 p.m. Two of three suspects ran, and the gunfight occurred between one of the fleeing suspects and the sergeant who was pursing him. Police arrested one of the fleeing suspects and the suspect who remained in the car. The suspect who fled was also wounded. Police have not released the identification of the sergeant who was wounded. There is a manhunt underway for the third suspect involved.
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