Two Officers Shot, Suspect Killed After Hours-Long Manhunt
GRAND PRAIRIE (CBSDFW.COM) - Two Grand Prairie Police officers were shot and the suspect killed near Joe Pool Lake after an hours-long manhunt on Christmas Day.
Both of the injured officers were transported to Dallas Methodist Hospital, but have since been treated and released.
The suspect, identified only as a 16-year-old from Mansfield, was transported to Parkland Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Due to the age of the suspect, his name will not be released.
Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Hensen released a statement Christmas Day, praising the officers involved.
"This just shows how dangerous the job of our police officers is," Henson said. 'A normal traffic stop could have turned deadly. Our prayers and thoughts are with the officers and with the families."
The shootings followed an intensive search for a man wanted after an earlier police chase and gun battle. Police late this afternoon confirmed the suspect in the shootings was the same man they had been seeking.
Police said the chase and gun battle began around 4:30 a.m. after an officer tried to pull over a suspicious vehicle near Joe Pool Lake.
After a short pursuit, the suspect got out of the car and fired multiple shots at the officer, who was not hurt. The officer returned fire, striking the suspect at least once.
A perimeter was set up around the area and police from Mansfield and Cedar Hill brought in to help block off nearby streets. A Department of Public Safety helicopter and K-9 units were also ordered in to search from the air.
Det. Lyle Gensler, a Grand Prairie police spokesman, said residents in the area were asked to be careful if they went outside. At the time, he warned residents if they leave the area - they may not be allowed back in until the search was over.
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