2 Phoenix officers shot with 1 listed in critical condition, police say

PHOENIX (AP) — Two police officers have been shot and wounded by a man suspected of breaking into a vehicle, and one of the officers was likely saved by his ballistic vest, authorities said Wednesday.

Interim police Chief Michael Sullivan said at a news conference after Tuesday night’s shooting that one officer was hospitalized in critical condition while the other was in stable condition.

The names of the officers haven’t been released.

Police identified the suspect as 41-year-old Saul Bal and said he’s been booked into the Maricopa County Jail on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder plus burglary and weapons charges.

It wasn’t immediately known Wednesday if a public defender has been assigned to Bal’s case yet.

The two police officers responded to a call of someone attempting to break into a vehicle around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sullivan said.

The suspect took off running and jumped over a fence, and the officers were both shot when they gave chase, he said.

The suspect was detained not far from the shooting scene near downtown Phoenix, Sullivan said.

The interim chief said he has spoken to the officer who is in stable condition.

“He was traumatized. He just been shot, and his partner had just been shot,” Sullivan said at the news conference, adding that officers have been met by gunfire 11 times so far this year.

“This is a terrible night for the Phoenix Police Department and for those who love and care for officers and for members of our community,” Sullivan said.