Six police officers were shot across the country in the span of 48 hours.
Fox News reported that “Two police officers were shot Wednesday afternoon in St. Louis; a Milwaukee sheriff’s deputy was shot several times during a traffic stop Wednesday evening; and, three more police officers were shot in Houston on Thursday, in separate instances, authorities said.”
One of the St. Louis police officers who was shot remains in “very critical, very unstable” condition after being shot in the leg, while the other officer was shot in the abdomen during a traffic stop.
“I am asking the public to pray for our officers. This is a rough time,” St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Chief John Hayden said at a press conference following the shooting. “They’re doing everything they can to keep people safe, and we keep having these critical incidents.”
Hayden added that both officers are in their mid-20s and that the one who is in critical condition has been on the force for three-and-a-half years, while the other officer has been serving for two-and-a-half years.
The shooting occurred after police officers saw a vehicle matching the description of one that was involved in a homicide Tuesday night. They pulled it over and the individuals in the vehicle started shooting at the officers as they approached. Both officers were struck and the individuals in the vehicle fled, with all four being taken into custody later.
Three officers were also shot and hospitalized in Houston, Texas, Fox reported.
“Three police officers were hospitalized during a separate shooting incident in Houston, after a suspect shot one officer in the foot, another in the leg, and a third officer in the arm, all of whom were hospitalized in stable condition at Memorial Hermann Hospital, authorities said,” the outlet noted. The officers were identified in a tweet from the Houston Police Department as N. Gadson, 35, who has been on the force for four years; D. Hayden, 32, who has served for three years; and A. Alvarez, 28, who has served for two years.
Thank you for the prayers today for our 3 injured officers:
Ofc. N. Gadson, 35, 4 years of service
Ofc. D. Hayden, 32, 3 years of service
Ofc. A. Alvarez, 28, 2 years of service
All work at NE Patrol & are stable.Please continue to pray for them & their families. #hounews
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) January 28, 2022
The suspect who allegedly shot the three officers fled the scene and barricaded himself in a house, but police surrounded the building, resulting in a gunfight. The suspect was shot in the neck and surrendered.
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a sheriff’s deputy was shot multiple times in his arms and torso after pursuing a passenger who fled on foot during a traffic stop. The deputy who was shot is 26 years old, but his name has not been released.
“Thank goodness his injuries at this point do not appear to be life-threatening,” Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell R. Lucas said during a press conference after the shooting. “This is twice within two weeks law enforcement officers have encountered individuals with weapons and have been shot doing their job.” The deputy was later reported to be “conscious, breathing & receiving treatment,” while the driver of the vehicle was taken into custody. The suspect who shot the deputy, however, was still at large.
2/2: As of about 3:30 a.m., the deputy was conscious, breathing & receiving treatment. The suspect vehicle driver is in custody. The shooter/passenger, considered armed/dangerous, is at large. West Allis & Milwaukee police departments are assisting in the search.
— Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office (@MilwCoSheriff) January 26, 2022