DENVER — A Denver Police Department officer who was shot in the neck was released from the hospital on Tuesday, while the suspect accused of shooting him was in critical condition and being held on suspicion of attempted murder.
The suspect, 33-year-old Daniel Cheeseman, was shot by officers. He is suspected of attempted murder of a peace officer and possession of a weapon by a previous offender, according to police.
About 9 p.m. Monday, officers spotted what they believed to be a stolen car near South Perry Street and West Arkansas Avenue in Denver, police said. Officers attempted to stop the car, which drove away before stopping at Lowell Boulevard and West Iowa Avenue.
The suspect, a man, walked away from the vehicle and officers took him into custody, police said. The suspect was searched and arrested, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas said in a media briefing.
During the search, officers found a handgun and suspected narcotics, Thomas said.
The suspect arrived at the Downtown Detention Center about 11 p.m., according to Thomas.
"As they were removing the suspect, who was handcuffed and seated in the backseat of their vehicle, as they were removing him from the vehicle, he was somehow able to access another weapon and fire at least one round, striking one of the officers in the neck," Thomas said.
There were other officers in the area at the time. At least one officer returned fire, striking the suspect multiple times, Thomas said. The suspect was transported to the hospital and was in critical condition.
The officer who was shot was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening and his prognosis was good, Thomas said. That officer has been on the force for seven years.
"Certainly, officers take precautions to search individuals for weapons and other items that could be used to harm themselves, or harm the officers, and we'll have to identify through the investigation exactly where this weapon was recovered from," Thomas said.
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