A Phoenix police officer is fighting for his life after he was critically wounded in a shootout Wednesday afternoon.
Officers responded to report of a residential burglary-in-progress around 2:30 p.m. near 51st Avenue and Baseline Road involving an armed suspect when the shooting occurred, according to KNXV-TV.
Sources told the news station that the 911 caller who reported the burglary was a father calling about his son. Police officials confirmed that the caller and suspect were related.
As the officers arrived on the scene, the suspect -- who was seated in a van parked in the driveway, opened fire on them. The officers returned fire, killing the gunman.
One of the officers was wounded during the shootout and was transported to a local hospital in extremely critical condition.
"He's fighting for his life," Police Chief Joseph Yahner told reporters during a press conference. "He's a good man and our prayers are with him tonight."
The 12-year veteran of the force, who is a member of the Neighborhood Enforcement Team, has a wife and two children.
