A Dallas police officer who was shot in the leg during a shootout with a murder suspect Thursday morning is expected to be OK.
The officer was working with the U.S. Marshals Task Force on an execution at an apartment in the 9900 block of Adreta Boulevard around 6 a.m., according to the police department.
“As they approached the residence, they knocked, made an announcement, and began breaking through the door, where they were immediately met with gunfire from the suspect,” Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said.
That's when the officers came under fire and were shot in the lower legs, Garcia said.
“He was just released from the hospital a while ago. The officer is doing well. He's doing well and will recover,” Garcia said.
The officers retreated, a second exchange of gunfire occurred, and an unidentified suspect was struck and taken into custody, Garcia said. The suspect was hospitalized and is in critical condition.
The apartment's front door and third-floor side windows are riddled with bullets and police evidence markers.
Garcia promised to release a more substantive update on Monday, after he had had time to investigate the shooting. Meanwhile, the investigation into the shooting remains active and ongoing.
“I happened to wake up early in the morning and I heard four or five very rapid gunshots,” said Sydney Yure, who lives in an apartment complex. “I'm moving soon, and yes, it's a little scary to know that there is active violence going on in my apartment.”
A Dallas police officer shot during an execution at a northeast Dallas apartment is expected to survive.
She said it's not unusual to hear gunshots in the area, which is why she's leaving when her lease is up.
“There's a little bit of uncertainty in this area, but there are other incidents and things going on,” she said. “After something like this happened, I'm going to be more careful walking around.”
Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a statement Thursday afternoon, saying:
“Violence against police will never be tolerated in Texas. This is a solemn reminder of the dangers our brave men and women in blue encounter every day to keep Texans across our state safe. Cecilia and I ask that Texans join us in praying for our police officer as he recovers from his injuries in the hospital, and for all law enforcement agencies across Texas who serve and protect our communities. .”
