Published March 29th, 2022
A Buffalo, New York, police officer is recovering after being shot in his ballistic-resistant vest on Tuesday evening. Shortly after 6 pm, Buffalo Police were investigating a suspicious vehicle parked in a waterfront parking lot. After a brief encounter with the operator of the vehicle, who provided officers with his identification, the operator quickly pulled away, leading police on a lengthy pursuit across the city. At three separate locations during the pursuit, upon encountering law enforcement vehicles, the occupant of the fleeing vehicle fired upon officers in their patrol vehicles. One officer was shot in the lower abdomen; another officer was shot in the chest, with the round being stopped by his ballistic-resistant vest; and the third officer was shot in his left bicep and ear. The fleeing vehicle was eventually stopped by a police roadblock and after an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and police, the suspect was apprehended. The suspect suffered what are described as “non-life-threatening gunshot injuries” and was transported to a local hospital, where he remains for treatment. Multiple charges, including attempted murder of a police officer, are pending.
The injured officers were also transported to a nearby hospital. The officer who was shot in the abdomen remains hospitalized for treatment, and the other two officers were treated and released. A total of nine police vehicles were damaged by gunfire during the pursuit and apprehension of the suspect.
