The officer, who suffered injuries from debris, was released from the hospital Sunday night. The suspect is in custody.
FORT WORTH, Texas — A man is in custody after shooting at a Fort Worth police officer Sunday.
The shooting happened after an east division officer was attempting to approach a suspect involved in a shooting that occurred Saturday, May 18, the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) said in a statement.
The officer involved in the shooting was injured by flying debris from the patrol car during the shooting, police said. The officer has since been released from the hospital with minor injuries and is recovering with his family, according to the statement.
The suspect is in custody, Fort Worth police said. Arlington police confirmed Monday they sent officers to a home in Arlington where the suspect in the shooting was reportedly hiding. The officers assisted Fort Worth’s SWAT team in setting up a perimeter and fly drones over the house.
“We had a coward try to take out one of my officers tonight,” police chief Neil Noakes said during a press conference after the shooting. “From what we know now he came out as if he was giving up and pulled a gun as the officer was getting out of the car and shot at him multiple times forcing my officer to protect his own life and lives of all the residents around here.”
The officer was alerted to the possible suspect around 8:19 p.m. near Highway 287 in east Fort Worth. The officer was behind the suspect’s vehicle and before he could turn on his emergency light, the suspect stepped out of the car with his hands up, police said.
As the officer got out of the vehicle the suspect began shooting several times at the officer, who returned fire. The officer was injured in the exchange and believed he was shot. He later learned the injuries were from flying debris, police said.
The suspect got into his car and left the scene. He was pursued by Fort Worth Police Officers into a neighboring city where he was brought into custody. The investigation is ongoing, police said. FWPD did not immediately release the names of the officer or suspect.
The injured officer has been with the department for a year and a half and was a lateral transfer from a neighboring agency, according to the release.