Wounded Phoenix Cop Fighting for His Life

A Phoenix officer is fighting for his life after he was critically wounded in a shootout Wednesday.
May 19, 2016

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.

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