(DENVER, CO)– A Denver Police officer is recovering after he was shot in the neck by a suspect being taken into custody.
The incident occurred on Monday around 11:00 p.m. while the officer was removing the suspect from the police vehicle at the Downtown Detention Center.
Officials say the situation began after officers noticed a stolen vehicle in southwest Denver around 9:00 p.m.
The driver eluded authorities but was found a short time later after he stopped near Iowa Avenue and Lowell Boulevard.
Authorities noticed an adult male walking away from the vehicle and made an arrest.
According to the report, the suspect was in possession of a handgun and a “large quantity” of suspected narcotics when he was detained by officers.
The suspect was then disarmed, handcuffed, and placed in the back of a police vehicle.
Despite being searched and handcuffed, the suspect still somehow managed to access another gun and opened fire on one of the officers.
Another officer returned fire striking the suspect multiple times.
The injured officer and the suspect were both taken to Denver Health Medical Center.
According to the report, the suspect is listed in critical condition and the officer “has a good prognosis” with non-life-threatening injuries.
In a press conference on Tuesday, authorities say they believe that the suspect may have had another gun hidden on his person.
Officials are still investigating the situation.