EPPD: Suspect accused of shooting police officer in South Central El Paso now in custody
UPDATE (8:50):
El Paso Police have arrested a suspect who they believe shot a police officer near Seville and Sambrano in South Central El Paso earlier Tuesday, Dec. 11.
Police apprehended the suspect, who they described as a Hispanic male, at around 8 p.m. at a residence located on the 100 block of North Clark.
Crisis management team made contact with the suspect but he refused to come out. After several hours, SWAT used gas in the residence to apprehend the suspect. He was then taken into custody.
No shots were fired and the suspect did not have any injuries.
Police said officers were investigating a suspicious suspect call shortly after 12 p.m. when they encountered a suspect who approached them with a weapon. The suspect fired at the officers and ran away, a police spokesman said. One of the officers was shot in the hand and transported to a nearby hospital. Shortly after 4 p.m., police said the wounded officer had been treated and released from the hospital.
El Paso Police spokesman, Sgt. Robert Gomez told ABC-7 officers returned fire when they shooting occurred. He said three investigations are between crimes against persons, internal affairs and the Texas Rangers.
Police said they are hoping to reduced the perimeter, between Awbrey Street and Clark Avenue on Alameda Avenue, within the next couple of hours and allow schools in the area to resume classes as usual.
Residents in the perimeter are slowly being allowed back into their homes.
Police are hoping to clear the perimeter by Wednesday afternoon.
Original story:
Police said officers were investigating a suspicious suspect call shortly after 12 p.m. when they encountered a suspect who approached them with a weapon. The suspect fired at the officers and ran away, a police spokesman said. One of the officers was shot in the hand and transported to a nearby hospital. Shortly after 4 p.m., police said the wounded officer had been treated and released from the hospital.
Police said the shooter is on the loose. A police spokesman was not able to provide a perimeter for the area where the suspect might be. Police have not been able to provide a description of the suspect. Investigators told ABC-7 they will look for any surveillance cameras in nearby homes or businesses with the hope the cameras recorded an image of the suspect.
“We know for a fact that the person does have a firearm, but we don’t know his intentions,” El Paso Police Spokesman Sgt. Robert Gomez said, “So we are telling any residents in the area that if they encounter any suspicious person, to contact the police so that we can investigate.”
ABC-7 Reporter Julio Chavez reports the police perimeter extends as far south as Delta. Border Patrol agents are at Athens and San Gabriel turning people away. Law enforcement officers are also stopping traffic westbound on Delta and directing them to Fonseca and Pecos. Residents who live in the area were asked to stay in their homes.
Armed police officers are stopping vehicles in the area and law enforcement helicopters hovering in the sky as officers look for the suspect. Police officers with K9s were also seen searching an area near Maryland and Grimes.
Cooley Elementary, located on the 100 block of Alameda, was placed on lockout all afternoon. Students there were transported over to Henderson Middle School, where they were released to parents who presented a valid identification card during pick up.
This story is developing. Stay with ABC-7 for the latest updates.
