Police Officer Shot In Aurora, Condition Unknown
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - An Aurora police officer was shot near 17th Avenue and Fulton Street on Friday night. Officers from at least three jurisdictions scoured nearby neighborhoods looking for the suspect.
The officer, whose condition was unknown late Friday, was transported to University Hospital.
Police spokesman Frank Fania said he didn't know where the officer was wounded and didn't release a name.
Police said they didn't have a description of a suspect, who was still at large as of 11 p.m.
Fania said two officers made a traffic stop at 9:05 p.m. Nearly immediately, the suspect fired from within the stopped car, hitting one officer. The officer who was not wounded returned fire, but Fania said he didn't know if the suspect was hit. The suspect fled the scene and abandoned the car two blocks later at 19th Avenue and Fulton, four blocks west of Havana Street.
Law enforcement from Aurora, Denver and Jefferson County fanned into the surrounding streets but were unable to locate the suspect.
"We have no clue where this individual is," Fania said. "We don't know what direction he went in."
He said that increases the danger to the neighborhood.
"For an individual that just shot at an officer, it's a huge threat," he said. "We don't know if he still has a gun. We're assuming he does."
A neighborhood resident told CBS4 that Aurora and Denver police were knocking on homes' doors and looking in cars.
A helicopter, K-9 units and bloodhounds were assisting in the search. Dozens of police vehicles stretched along 17th.
"We understand it's a huge area. We're asking (residents) to keep their eyes and ears open, be patient with us, report any suspicious activity," Fania said.
