Hartford police officer shot while on duty

Associated Press

Last update: November 11, 2009 - 4:34 AM

HARTFORD, Conn. - A police officer investigating a rash of burglaries in north Hartford was shot and wounded early Wednesday morning by a fleeing suspect, according to news reports and police.

The suspect was also shot and has been hospitalized in police custody, WTIC-TV quoted Hartford Police Chief Daryl Roberts as saying.

The officer was in stable condition, but the suspect's status wasn't immediately clear.

Sgt. Dennis O'Connor at Hartford police headquarters told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that the officer was shot early Wednesday, but he declined to provide any other details.

The shooting occurred as the officer investigated several burglaries in the north end of the city, Roberts told WTIC-TV.

He said that the officer spotted a suspicious person who fled as he approached. At some point during a chase, the suspect turned and fired, hitting the officer once in the arm and once in the leg.

The officer was taken to St. Francis Hospital. Roberts said his name is being withheld until family members can be notified.

The firearm allegedly used by the suspect was recovered from the scene, according to Roberts.

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