Bianca Bruno | Courthouse News Service
SAN DIEGO (CN) — A San Diego Police Department gang unit officer is dead and another being treated for injuries after the two were shot in the chest during a traffic stop late Thursday night.
San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said after the two made a stop around 11 p.m. in the Southcrest neighborhood in southeastern San Diego, they requested “emergency cover” from other officers.
Responding officers found both with gunshot wounds to their upper bodies.
One of the officers was rushed in a patrol car to Scripps Mercy Hospital in Hillcrest. Zimmerman confirmed early Friday morning he died from his injuries.
The second officer was brought to UC San Diego Medical Center for emergency surgery and is expected to survive, according to Zimmerman.
The suspect was shot by police and is also currently being treated at UC San Diego Medical Center.
He was taken into custody in a ravine in the 1300 block of South 38th Street.
It was not immediately clear if the shooter acted alone, according to police.
Neither officer’s name was immediately released.
Mayor Kevin Faulconer said “we lost one of San Diego’s finest.
“We grieve for our fallen officer and stand with his family during this very difficult time,” Faulconer said in a written statement, adding “We also pray for the second officer shot last night as he recovers from surgery. Violence against the men and women who wear the badge is violence against us all. I ask all San Diegans and all people across our nation to join together in support of our officers who courageously protect our communities. We need them and they need us.”
Published by Courthouse News Service
