NORFOLK, Va. — A Norfolk officer was shot multiple times in a shootout with a suspect while responding to assist in a child protective services call in the 3800 block of Arcadia Street Saturday afternoon, police said.
The suspect, who is in custody, sustained life-threatening injuries, police say. The officer has non-life-threatening injuries.
"Officers arrived on scene and almost immediately were confronted by a female who was combative," said Norfolk Police Chief Mark Talbot. "As officers were trying to control the female, a male came out of a residence and fired several times at police officers."
Officers then returned fire.
Watch: NPD Chief Talbot gives update on police shootout
"In the exchange a police was struck multiple times. He's considered to be in good condition at this point," Talbot said. "The suspect was also struck, multiple times, and he's considered to be in critical condition at this point."
The child from the custody call is safe, Talbot added.
"There is no danger to the community and we don't expect to be looking for anyone else involved," said Talbot.
Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi was also on scene as Virginia State Police began an investigation into the incident.
"These are among the most serious cases that prosecutors in the United States handle," said Fatehi. "I have a personal responsibility to be here to see the scene myself, to speak to people while things are fresh, to be available to state police while the state police does its investigation."
Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate posted to X, formerly Twitter, sending his prayers to the wounded officer.
.@VBPD is sending our prayers to @NorfolkPD & their officer who was shot this afternoon serving & protecting his community!
— Chief Paul Neudigate (@PaulNeudigate) July 6, 2024
This incident marks the fourth shooting involving Norfolk police officers this year.
"People need to stop shooting at the police. I hate to be that blunt about it but it's that simple. Each of these things is its own things, with its own facts. It depends on what happens on a given day, but the common denominator is people are shooting at the cops and they need to stop," said Fatehi.
The first took place in January in the Wards Corner area, where a man pulled a knife on an officer and was shot. He later died.
The second took place on Terminal Boulevard in March, where a wanted man was in a car chase with police and was then shot. He also died.
Then in late May, another wanted man was hit in a shootout with police. He was arrested and charged.
