While officers were speaking with a man whose moped had been stopped, he shot several rounds toward officers, police said, leaving a Richmond Police Department officer “in very critical condition” Wednesday night.
Indiana State Police is investigating the officer-involved shooting that took place shortly after 6:30 p.m. on the city’s north side.
Richmond Police K9 Officer Seara Burton, a 28-year-old Northeastern High School alumna, was wounded after responding to a call from other officers to assist with a traffic stop in the area of North 12th and C streets.
Burton located the vehicle, which was a moped being ridden by an adult male, and made a traffic stop at that location.
During the traffic stop, Burton’s K9 partner Brev was used to conduct an open-air sniff around the moped and indicated the possible presence of narcotics, according to a news release from Sgt. Scott Keegan, public information officer for ISP’s Pendleton Post.
ISP has identified the suspect as 47-year-old Phillip M. Lee of Richmond. UPDATE: At 7 a.m. Thursday, ISP corrected the spelling of Lee’s first name, adding one “L.”
While officers were speaking with Lee, he allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot several rounds toward officers, the release said.
Burton was struck by the gunfire.
Other officers on the scene returned fire, and Lee fled on foot, Keegan said.
After a brief foot chase, Lee was apprehended. He was treated for gunshot wounds by the officers and later transported by ambulance to Reid Health in Richmond.
Burton was transported by ambulance to Reid and later airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, where she was listed in very critical condition. She has served with Richmond Police Department for four years.
In the news release sent out at about 12:30 a.m. Thursday, Keegan said the investigation is active and ongoing, and that detectives expected to be on the scene for several more hours. He cautioned that all information released is preliminary and subject to change as evidence dictates.
The suspect in custody has been arrested on probable cause, but Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman and his staff will determine if formal criminal charges are to be filed after reviewing the case.
Read more about what happened earlier in the evening: https://westernwaynenews.com/richmond-police-chief-pray-for-shot-officer/