A Gretna, La. police officer and two suspects were shot during a drug bust Tuesday afternoon.
The shooting occurred around 3 p.m. during an undercover drug investigation involving several law enforcement agencies near the area of the Westbank Expressway at Claire Avenue near a strip mall and an apartment complex, according to WDSU-TV.
Officials say that 22-year-old Darryl Johnson and 23-year-old Darrin Jones arrived in the area to deliver heroin and drove to the rear of a business, where they were intercepted by authorities.
Police said Johnson, who was the driver, attempted to escape by ramming the vehicle into a police car blocking his escape. Officers then exited their vehicles and began to approach the men. Johnson drove toward the officers, nearly striking one.
An officer fired at the vehicle as it drove toward them, hitting both Johnson and Jones. The officer, who was wearing his protective vest, was hit in an exchange of gunfire and suffered non-life threatening injuries. Johnson was shot in the face and was listed in critical condition at a local hospital.
The incident is currently under investigation.