Off-duty police officer leaves hospital after being shot by unknown suspect in Phoenix

PHOENIX — An off-duty Phoenix police officer left the hospital on Monday afternoon after being shot in a business parking lot, authorities said.

The officer was initially hospitalized on Friday night after the shooting, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

The officer, who was working in an off-duty capacity at a nearby business, was advised about a group of suspects attempting an armed robbery of a vehicle near 35th and Southern avenues around 11:30 p.m., Phoenix police said.

Off-duty officer shot by unknown suspect in Phoenix

Investigators said the officer approached the area in an attempt to make contact, but at least one suspect began firing a handgun toward him.

The officer, who didn’t fire his weapon, suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was taken to a hospital for injuries that weren’t life-threatening.

The suspects involved in the incident left the area before more police arrived on scene.

Anybody with information about the case is asked to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (948-6377) or 480-TESTIGO (837-8446) for Spanish.

Information leading to an arrest could be eligible for a reward.

“He clearly identified himself as a police officer, it was clear. That’s why it’s so important that we take these folks into custody,” Chief Michael Sullivan said at a media briefing on Saturday. “If you’re willing to perpetuate violence on a police officer, in the process of committing a violent felony, you will do that to any member of the public, so I would say that these folks should be considered armed and dangerous.”

No additional information was available.

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