Police Officer Critically Hurt In Colorado Springs Shooting, Suspect Identified
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - Colorado Springs Police Officer Cem Duzel was shot overnight and was critically hurt in a shootout.
"We like to express our gratitude for the outpouring of support from hundreds and hundreds of people from around the country," the police department said on Facebook Thursday afternoon. "Please keep Officer Duzel and his family in your thoughts and prayers."
Duzel is a 5-year veteran of the Colorado Springs Police Department.
A suspect was also shot and wounded but is expected to survive.
The shootout took place at approximately 3 a.m. on the 2300 block of East Boulder Street near the intersection of Boulder Street and Bonfoy Avenue, a few blocks away from the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
Police Chief Peter Carey said officers were responding to "an armed individual who was firing shots." The suspect was standing on the street when they arrived.
That suspect has been identified as Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi, 31.
"When officers arrived on scene they encountered an armed suspect and there was an exchange of gunfire," Carey said.
Police asked that people avoid the area around Boulder Street, Union Boulevard and Platte Avenue while an investigation by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office takes place.
"This has been an extremely difficult year with law enforcement officers being hurt or killed, in particular in our region," Carey said. "Please keep Officer Duzel, his family and the Colorado Springs Police Department in your thoughts and prayers."
RELATED: Community Prays For Cem Duzel, Colorado Springs Officer Wounded In Shooting
Duzel underwent surgery after the shooting at UCHealth Memorial Hospital.
The sheriff's office asked that people and media agencies not fly drones near the scene of the investigation.
Additional Information from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office:
If anyone knows Al Khammasi or has any information about him, please contact the Sheriff's Office Tip Line at 719-520-6666 or Crimestoppers at 719-634-7867.
