A Dallas College El Centro Campus police officer was shot on Thursday after an exchange of gunfire with a suspect. The officer was taken to Baylor Hospital but is in stable condition.
The Dallas Police Department (DPD) confirmed that the El Centro officer was working on a disturbance near a 7-Eleven store at 21 N. Austin Street when he and a suspect opened fire at each other, as reported by NBC 5 Dallas Fort Worth.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) officials told NBC5 that they were patrolling the West End of Dallas around 6:30 pm. The DART officials heard shots fired at the 7-Eleven. They responded and found the police officer injured.
DART turned over the investigation to Dallas Police.
Officers’ Angle
Police also bared to local tv station WFAA that four El Centro officers responded to a vehicle that caused disturbance. The owner of the car turned out to be a suspect with an outstanding warrant for a probation violation.
The officers tried to arrest the suspect, who started shooting. Two El Centro officers shot back, and one of them was hit. The incident was caught on the officers’ body camera and security cameras in the area.
***JUST IN***@DallasPD and Dallas College Police give an update about tonight’s officer-involved shooting.
Four El Centro Officers officers were investigating a suspicious vehicle near campus this evening and located its owner who had an outstanding warrant. pic.twitter.com/Z0lyx1pLpw
— Matt Howerton (@HowertonNews) November 6, 2020
The officer was said to be in “stable condition” while the suspect was deemed in “critical condition.”
El Centro College Statement
NBC 5 reported that El Centro College released an official statement that confirmed the officer’s stable condition, but referred all inquiries regarding the investigation to the Dallas Police Department.
The college expressed its sadness and sent thoughts and prayers to the officer and his family.