A Phoenix police officer was shot after a wild police chase that was bookended with two separate shootouts involving the same suspect Wednesday night. Phoenix Police Sergeant Mercedes Fortune says officers first contacted the suspect near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road just after 7:30 pm.
The suspect and officers exchanged gunfire and the suspect eventually fled the scene. Police helicopters were able to keep an eye on the fleeing vehicle as it sped through the city. The vehicle was eventually stopped using stop strips. Once the suspect's vehicle stopped near 44th Street and Thomas he engaged police in another shootout.
One officer was shot during the second shootout. Fortune says that officer was wearing a bulletproof vest and was hit in the vest. The officer was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover. The suspect was also hit in the second shootout and was transported to the hospital in serious condition.
Police are still investigating the situations.