Wounded Virginia officer ‘serious but stable’ after surgery

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Authorities say a Virginia police officer who was shot and wounded while trying to detain a 15-year-old boy is in serious but stable condition after undergoing two surgeries.

Portsmouth Police Chief Tonya Chapman said at news conference Tuesday that the officer was shot multiple times. One bullet was stopped by her ballistic vest. Officials have not yet released the wounded officer’s name.

Chapman said the officer was responded to a call for service Monday and saw the youth, whom she knew to be a runaway. When the officer tried to take the youth into custody, he produced a handgun and fired, the chief said.

The officer was able to take cover behind a police vehicle and radio for help, Chapman said. A retired Portsmouth police officer who happened to be nearby heard the shots, saw the officer struggling and went to her aid, the chief said.

Other officers later found the teen, still wearing the wounded officer’s handcuffs, at a nearby apartment complex, and took him into custody without incident.

The youth, whom Chapman did not identify because he is charged as a juvenile, is charged with attempted capital murder and other offences.

Authorities have not given the races of the officer and the youth.