Holly MatkinDayton, OH – A Dayton police officer was shot in the side of the head while responding to a report of fraud at a Dollar General store on Tuesday night.
The incident began at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 21 after police received a complaint about the alleged fraud at the Dollar General store on Gettysburg Avenue, the Dayton Daily News reported.
After he wrapped up at the store, the officer headed over to Ingram Street to search for the 39-year-old suspect at approximately 7:24 p.m., Dayton Police Department (DPD) Interim Chief Matt Carper said during a press conference later that night.
He ended up finding the suspect in the 600-block of Ingram Street and told him to stop, but the suspect allegedly hit him and tried to get away, Chief Carper said.
“The officer used his Taser on the suspect, who went to the ground, retrieved a handgun and fired at least one round at the officer, striking the officer on the side of his head,” the chief recounted, according to the Dayton Daily News.
The wounded officer immediately returned fire, shooting his attacker multiple times.
A fellow officer loaded the injured officer into a patrol vehicle and rushed him to Miami Valley Hospital, the Dayton Daily News reported.
He has since been listed in stable condition, Chief Carper said.
#UPDATE #Investigation The officer injured tonight on Ingram St. is in stable condition. The suspect is in critical condition.
We will release additional information later this evening.— Dayton Police Dept. (@DaytonPolice) September 22, 2021
The suspect was transported to the hospital by ambulance, and remained in critical condition on Tuesday night, the Dayton Daily News reported.
“What started out as a fraud call quickly turned into a senseless, violent attack on a police officer,” Chief Carper told reporters. “Our prayers right now are with this officer and his family.”
Area law enforcement officers flocked to the hospital in the wake of the shooting and gathered outside the emergency room entry as a show of support for their wounded comrade, the Dayton Daily News reported.
The identity of the wounded officer has not been released.
Police have also not named the gunman.
My colleague Phil Plummer for State Representative shared this evening that a Dayton, Ohio Police Officer has been shot in the line of duty.
Please join my family in praying for this officer and their family and colleagues with Dayton Police & Fire. https://t.co/6b3hYaXdNS pic.twitter.com/sJHHG1h2d5
— Haraz N. Ghanbari (@HarazGhanbari) September 22, 2021
The DPD’s Violent Crimes Bureau is handling the ongoing investigation into the officer-involved shooting, Chief Carper said.
A parallel administrative investigation is being conducted by the department’s Professional Standards Bureau.
