SPOKANE, Wash. — An officer has been shot in North Spokane on East Empire and North Perry. It is in connection with a series of drive-by shootings.
According to Mayor Nadine Woodward and police Chief Craig Meidl, the officer was hurt in the leg and head while responding to a drive-by shooting on 1600 E. Garland.
Both the Mayor and Chief visited the officer in the hospital and said he is in serious but stable condition. They also said he is responsive.
"We were able to speak with him," Meidl said. "He is coherent, he is surrounded by his family and loved ones right now."
The house near where the officer was shot has been involved in multiple drive-by shootings in the past, according to Meidl.
There are two people in custody with no one believed to be left at the scene. Meidl also said the Spokane County Sheriff's department will be taking over the investigation.
Several guns were recovered from the scene, though SPD didn't say how many. The other shooting locations are still being processed.
The first shots were reportedly fired at 1:40 p.m. with more shots following within five minutes.
This is the third time a law enforcement officer was shot in the last two years.
"The level of violence in this community has to stop, this is outrageous," Meidl said. "We have a violent community that is now targeting officers and this has to stop."
The mayor reiterated violence in the Spokane community must end.
"We need to stop resorting to violence," Woodward said. "We're seeing more and more of that in our community, and in communities across the country."
This is a developing story, we'll continue to bring updates as we get them.
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