Phoenix Police Officer Stable After Being Shot Multiple Times Tuesday

PHOENIX, AZ —A Phoenix police officer was in stable condition Tuesday night after being shot multiple times earlier in the day in the area of 39th Avenue and Baseline Road. The officer is expected to survive, according to the PPD.

Michael Kurtenbach, the PPD's executive assistant chief, said two suspects were detained in connection to the shooting and that the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

Speaking at a Tuesday news conference, Kurtenbach said the female officer's ballistic vest most likely helped save her life.

Kurtenbach said he previously had worked with the officer in Maryvale.

"I've been honored to work with the Phoenix Police Department for three decades, and in that time I've worked with the finest men and women in law enforcement. This officer represents all that is good in law enforcement," Kurtenbach said. "She was out there doing a job that she loves, and one I know that she savors."

While Kurtenbach was speaking with reporters, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams was in Washington D.C. testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Gun Violence. Kurtenbach said the chief had been briefed on the shooting, and that she was able to stay in Washington because the injured officer is expected to survive.

Kurtenbach also offered some sobering statistics about violence, and gun violence specifically, in Phoenix.

"It's just the beginning of the summer, and our homicide rate is up 24 percent over the same time last year," Kurtenbach said. "Homicides involving firearms are up 45 percent over the same time last year."

The Arizona Republic reported that, according to statistics previously provided to news organizations, Tuesday's shooting marked the ninth Phoenix police officer shot and 14th injured in the last six months.