Memphis police officer, carjacking suspect shot - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis police officer, carjacking suspect shot

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By Lindsey Brown - bio | email
An MPD officer who was shot in the line of duty arrives at the MED Wednesday late afternoon. An MPD officer who was shot in the line of duty arrives at the MED Wednesday late afternoon.
A man, believed to be a carjacking suspect, is wheeled away from the scene by paramedics. A man, believed to be a carjacking suspect, is wheeled away from the scene by paramedics.
MEMPHIS, TN -

(WMC-TV) – A Memphis police officer is recovering after a carjacking suspect led to a police chase and shootout Wednesday afternoon, sending both the officer and suspect to the MED.

The 30-year-old officer was saved by his bulletproof vest.  He was transported to the MED in non-critical condition.  The 19-year-old suspect remained in critical condition late Wednesday.

Long skid marks crossed five lanes straight to the suspect's silver Chevy Impala that crashed near the intersection of James Road and Homewood Drive, where the chase ended.  The suspect then ran into the woods.

"I saw him jump out the car, he ran into the woods and the police guy got out of his car," said witness Angelina Triplett.  "He ran into the woods and ran after him, and the next thing I heard was 'bam, bam, bam.'"

The shooting was between the suspect and an officer.  It started minutes before when officers were told a carjacking victim had seen his stolen car, the Impala, down the road at an apartment complex.

The Impala had been stolen Monday at 3:30 a.m. from Jamesbridge Apartments.  The owner said he was forced to the ground by two men with handguns.

When officers tracked down the stolen car Wednesday, the suspect fled, ending in the shooting.

"There was a brief struggle, the officer was shot by the suspect, at which time the officer did return fire to the suspect," said Memphis Police Department spokesperson Karen Rudolph.

Residents living in the area watched the scene in disbelief.

"Very, very scary living here," said witness Vicky Jones.

Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong said he is glad the officer is going to be OK, and even more thankful that the bulletproof vest he was wearing helped save his life.

A parade of police cars with flashing blue lights and sirens arrived at the MED just before 6 p.m.  The officer was wheeled into the emergency room with at least a dozen more officers by his side.

The officer is reportedly new to the police force and is still under his one-year probationary period.

"Of course, when you get a phone call telling you one of your officers has been injured or shot, it's something that doesn't sit well with you, but you immediately begin to pray for his well being," said Armstrong.

Armstrong was out of town Wednesday, but spoke to Action News 5 by phone.

"I had a phone conversation with him," he said.  "He is doing well.  His family had been supportive of him.  He's in good spirits.  Thank God he had on his vest.  He's probably going to be extremely sore tomorrow."

The suspect arrived at the MED not long after the officer.

"As far as the suspect, I think he's in surgery," said Armstrong.

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton also stopped by the MED, where he was seen shaking hands with officers.

The names of the officer and the suspect have not been released.  No charges have been filed at this point.

My 5: Click here to see video of the injured officer arriving at the MED.

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