ALBANY, NY — The city police officer who was shot by a suspect Wednesday has extensive injuries to his leg and will likely be off the job for months as he recovers, according to a GoFundMe set up in his name by a retired Albany police detective.
Jonathan Damphier underwent emergency surgery after being shot in the leg. Surgeons had to insert a rod to secure his broken femur, but were unable to remove all of the bullet fragments as they were too close to his femoral artery, according to the fundraising appeal launched by former detective Lawrence Heid.
In the post, Heid said that Damphier's leg was "shattered" and that he has received blood transfusions in the days since the surgery. Heid wrote that Damphier "is struggling to begin his physical healing" and that "his doctors believe his injury will require months of physical therapy, and he will likely not be able to return to work for many months to come."
The GoFundMe had raised over $31,000 by Sunday afternoon.
Albany police have not commented in detail on Damphier's injuries. Hawkins said Thursday Damphier had successful surgery on his leg.
Amiel Layeni, 28, shot Damphier early Wednesday morning near North Main and Western avenues in what Police Chief Eric Hawkins described as an ambush. According to body-worn camera footage released by Albany police, Damphier approached Layeni's parked car moments after he saw it speeding down Western Avenue. Layeni came around the back of the car and fired two shots, striking Damphier in the thigh.
Hawkins said Layeni was "lying in wait. The officer had no idea the suspect was even there."
Damphier returned fire, but Albany police said Thursday that Layeni was killed after turning his gun on himself.
Police officials said they have not confirmed how many shots were fired during the incident, but said the suspect did have a graze wound from another gunshot.
Hawkins said investigators recovered two illegal 9mm handguns from the scene, as well as a ghost gun from Layeni's home on North Pine Avenue.
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