Phoenix police officer, gunman critical after shootout

Credit: Chris McGrath

Credit: Chris McGrath

A Phoenix police officer and the driver of a car he was attempting to stop were in critical condition early Friday after exchanging gunfire, KNXV reported.

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Authorities said the officer was attempting a traffic stop but the driver initially refused to stop, the television station reported.

The driver finally did stop and reportedly shot the officer, who returned fire and wounded the person, KNXV reported.

According to Sgt. Mercedes Fortune with Phoenix Police, the incident happened at around 8 p.m., KSAZ reported.

"It's one of those things that we say a lot: We don't know what's gonna happen when you put on the uniform," Fortune said during a news conference. "You come to work, and you hope for the best, you know, understanding that not everybody, obviously, wants to cause us harm, but you just never know."

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