Two Arizona police officers were shot Tuesday by a person they suspected of a car break-in in Phoenix, leaving one officer fighting for his life, authorities said.
One officer was in critical condition, while the other was saved from serious injury by his ballistic vest, Michael Sullivan, interim Phoenix police chief, said at a news conference late Tuesday.
One suspect was in custody, Sullivan said.
Sullivan said an officer and his partner spotted a person who appeared to be attempting to break into a vehicle. They pursued on foot, and the suspect jumped a fence before firing a weapon, Sullivan said.
After the shooting at about 6:30 p.m. , Phoenix police conducted a massive search in the area. Officers with flashlights were stopping and searching vehicles on side streets in a nearby residential neighborhood.
At about 8:55 p.m., Phoenix police said one suspect was detained in relation to the shooting.
‘Senseless’
Sullivan was joined at the news conference by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, City Manager Jeff Barton and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell.