A Willcox man was shot after he fired and wounded a police officer Thursday night, said authorities.
The Willcox Police Department officer was struck in the "upper chest area and his ballistic vest deflected the round up towards his collar bone," said Carol Capas, a Cochise County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.
The officer was taken to Cochise County Hospital for treatment of a minor wound, said Capas in a news release.
The 69-year-old man, who wounded the officer, was taken to a Tucson hospital for what appears to be non-life threatening injuries, said Capas.Β
Shortly before 8:30 p.m., sheriff's deputies were advised of an officer-involved shooting and responded to a residence in Willcox and met with officers and paramedics, said Capas.
A preliminary investigation indicates that an officer saw a vehicle traveling without its headlights turned on, and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. "The vehicle did stop and the driver got out of the car and approached the officer, before getting back into his car and leaving the area," said Capas.
The officer attempted to stop the vehicle again, and a pursuit ensued. A second police officer joined the pursuit before the vehicle parked at a residence.
"The driver got out of the vehicle a second time and pointed a handgun at one of the officers, firing one time before both officers returned fire," Capas said.
Both Willcox police officers were placed on paid administrative leave, and will remain on leave pending the conclusion of the investigation, according to Willcox Police Department policy, said Capas.
The Cochise County Sheriff's Office is heading a regional investigation that includes the Sierra Vista Police Department. The Cochise County Attorney was briefed about the case.
More details will be released Friday at 8 a.m., Capas said.Β
