3 IL Officers Shot — 1 In The Face — During Encounter With Armed Person: Police

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL — Three officers were shot — one of whom was struck in the face — Saturday night in downstate Fairview Heights, according to police.

Officers responded around 9:45 p.m. to Potomac Drive for a report of a prowler near a home but, upon arrival, they made contact with the person and discovered the situation was a possible domestic incident, police said.

During the encounter, the person opened fire and shot the officers, according to police. One officer was hit in the face, underwent emergency surgery and was in critical but stable condition as of Sunday morning, police said, while another was struck in the arm and broke a bone and the third was shot in the back, although a vest stopped the bullet and the officer was treated and released.

Two other officers were treated and released after suffering injuries while fighting the person, police said.

The shooter was in custody Sunday morning and the gun was recovered, according to authorities, who said Illinois State Police were leading the investigation.