CLEVELAND — A Cleveland police detective was shot in the arm and the leg on the city's east side on Tuesday evening.
According to Cleveland Police Chief Wayne Drummond, the incident happened as a pair of detectives were investigating vehicle thefts and came upon what they believed was a stolen Kia near the area of East 30th and Cedar Avenue.
Four suspects fled the Kia and ran from the scene. The detectives chased them. One of the suspects dropped a weapon, which was picked up by one of the officers and put into their vehicle. As the detective got out of the car, a suspect wearing a bright, orange jacked fired four shots, hitting the detective twice.
All four suspects remain at large.
Cleveland Division of Police spokesperson Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said the officer is "conscious and talking" and was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center for treatment. "He's doing really well," Drummond added. "I talked to him."
Although police are not yet releasing the detective's name, Drummond said the 28-year-old officer has served with the CDP for four years. He also saluted one of the responding officers who applied a tourniquet to help the injured detective.
After the shooting, a CDP zone car tried to respond to the scene, but was involved in a crash near East 30th and Carnegie. Both officers involved in the crash were also taken to MetroHealth and are doing "well," according to Drummond. The officers involved in the crash are both female, ages 49 and 52. Police add that three firearms were recovered from the scene.
Drummond says investigators do not believe any of the officers fired their weapons in response to the detective being shot. He added that homicide detectives are being assisted by members of the FBI and ATF in the investigation of the incident.
"It sends chills through me," Drummond said of getting the news of the shooting. "I was home having dinner with my family, then got over to the hospital as quick as I could. I talked to his wife and his mother. Thank God. We're really relieved that he's doing well."
Following the briefing, the Cleveland Division of Police posted the following photo of two of the suspects. Anyone with information on the shooting is encouraged to contact detectives at 216-623-5464. Additionally, anonymous information can be provided by calling Crimestoppers at 216-25-CRIME. A reward up to $5,000 may be available.
Mayor Justin M. Bibb also released the following statement:
"This evening one of our Cleveland Police Officers was shot while on duty. He was transported to Metrohealth where he is currently being treated. I visited the officer at the hospital with Chief Drummond. He was alert and I was able to speak with him directly.
"I would like to thank all of our first responders who put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our community. I also thank the staff at Metrohealth Medical Center for quickly assisting and treating this officer.
"While my main concern tonight is for the wellbeing of the officer and his family, I must also once again condemn the gun violence we are seeing in our city. We are doing everything in our power to bring perpetrators of this violence to justice as we seek to change dangerous policies that have given rise to the proliferation of guns on our streets. The violence must stop.
"My administration will continue to fight to make Cleveland a safe place for all of our residents.
"This is an ongoing investigation, and we will update you as additional details become available.
"We ask anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Cleveland Police. Anonymous information can also be provided by calling Crimestoppers at 216-25-CRIME."
Stay with 3News for any updates on this developing story.
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