Missouri police officer in critical condition, shot while responding to home burglary

A Missouri police officer was shot Wednesday morning while responding to a home burglary, authorities said.

Two suspects fled from the scene in Independence in an SUV that belonged to the owner of the home. The officer is believed to have exchanged gunfire with the suspects before they fled.

“Upon their arrival, the suspects fled the scene and in doing so, fired and shot one officer. Officers returned fire. One officer was injured and taken to the hospital,” said Capt. Carl Perry, commander of the Community Service Unit, according to Fox 4. “The officer is in a local hospital, still in surgery at this time. Your thoughts and prayers to be with the officer and the family would be appreciated.”

Tracy Crookham, who lives in the neighborhood, told Fox 4 about the incident and what she heard.

“They had shot through, one of the garage doors was completely shot through, and pulled one of the guys out,” Crookham said. “And then it looked like they pulled another guy out through the back, and they were all surrounding the house next door so we assumed that somebody was still inside.”

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