A Texas police officer was killed, and two others were injured in a shooting late Thursday night in Dallas, according to the Dallas Police Department.
Knewz.com has learned that the incident occurred when officers responded to a distress call in the 900 block of East Ledbetter Drive at approximately 10:10 p.m. CDT.
Upon arrival, officers found one of their own shot inside a marked police vehicle. A gunfight ensued between the responding officers and the suspect, during which two more officers were wounded.
All three officers were transported to nearby hospitals; one was pronounced dead, another remains in critical condition, and the third is in stable condition. The identity of the officer who was killed has not been disclosed, and it is unclear if this officer was the one initially found in the police car.
Following the exchange of gunfire, the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, leading police on a chase to Lewisville. The pursuit ended in the 1000 block of Stemmons Freeway, where the suspect exited the vehicle armed with a long gun.
According to the Dallas Police Department, officers shot the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The preliminary investigation determined the suspect got out of the vehicle with a long gun and was shot by Dallas Police officers and he died at the scene," the Dallas Police Department said in a statement. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and flags at all city facilities will be flown at half-staff to honor the fallen officer.
Kristin Lowman, the communications director for the Dallas Police Department, spoke to the media early Friday morning.
"Our department is hurting," Lowman said. "We have officers who are injured, who are in the hospital, and we lost one of our own. We ask tonight and this morning for the thoughts and prayers of our city, for not only those who are recovering in the hospital, but for our fallen, for their family and for their loved ones, and for us as a department as well."
A photo shared by Dallas Morning News reporter Kelli Smith showed dozens of officers gathered in two parallel lines outside the emergency room at Methodist Hospital, where the deceased officer was taken.
"Dozens of Dallas police officers are standing quietly in two parallel lines outside the emergency room entrance of Methodist hospital, where one of the officers had been taken. The honor guard is at the entrance," Smith reported.
The Lewisville Police Department confirmed their involvement in the pursuit but noted that no Lewisville personnel were directly involved in the shooting. In the original post, they advised motorists that the highway would remain closed for an extended period due to the ongoing investigation.
The department later updated the post, saying the road was clear and traffic was "flowing freely."