WYOMING, Mich. -- A Wyoming police officer is recovering at home with his family after being shot while responding to a domestic disturbance Thursday afternoon. The suspect is hospitalized in serious condition -- and under police guard -- after being shot by officers during a shootout in the 200 block of Himes Street.
It was a three-part gun battle caught on camera by witnesses, who shared their accounts of a terrifying shootout.
The incident started around 3:30 p.m. after officers were called to a home to find a fight between a man and a woman. The woman surrendered from the home but when the man left, he drew a weapon and opened fire, wounding an officer, before making a run for it.
That officer was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids in stable condition after being hit just below his ballistic vest.
It’s a relief and good news after a terrifying day for members of law enforcement as they feared losing a brother.
“This is what we live with,” Wyoming Police Chief James Carmody said. “We have an armored vehicle here that helped us, and there’s a lot of people are complaining about the militarization of police officers, and this is where it comes into play.”
They are strong words fueled by emotion, crediting tactical equipment with saving an officer's life. “It could be worse," Carmody said. "I’m glad it’s not that."
The chief says the suspect is a white man in his 30’s. That man was taken into custody, leaving broken windows on the police cruiser and marred shields as evidence of violence that could have been much worse.
It also serves as a reminder of the risks, bravery, and sacrifice law enforcement officers make every day.
“Certainly very somber," Carmody said of the mood afterwards. "When you have an officer shot, it’s never a good day, but I was able to talk with the officer and (he) was in good spirits, and I’m very thankful he’s okay."
One additional person was hit by a stray bullet during the shootout. Police say that person was not seriously injured.
