Richmond police officer, shot during traffic stop, in critical condition, suspect identified – WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio

RICHMOND— UPDATE at 12:50 am: Richmond Police have identified the suspect involved in an officer-involved shooting Wednesday night as 47-year-old Phillip M. Lee of Richmond, according to a media release.

The release said, “While officers were speaking with Lee, he allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot several rounds towards officers. Officer Burton was struck by the gunfire. Other officers on the scene returned fire and Lee fled on foot. After a brief foot chase, Lee was apprehended. He was treated for gunshot wounds by the officers and later transported by ambulance to Reid Hospital in Richmond.”

Richmond Police say 28-year-old Seara Burton was transported by ambulance to Miami Valley Hospital and then airlifted to a hospital in Dayton where she was listed in very critical condition.

Burton has served with Richmond Police for four years.

The suspect is in custody and the Wayne County Prosecutor will determine charges upon review of the case, according to

We will update this story as we learn more.

UPDATE at 9:47 pm: Richmond Police Officer Seara Burton, a four-year veteran with the department, was seriously wounded Wednesday night when a suspect fired “multiple shots” at her during a traffic stop, Chief Michael Britt said.

“We need this community to pray for her. I ask that you pray for the officer,” he said to News Center 7′s Brandon Lewis and other media gathered near the scene of the shooting, in the area of ​​12 Street and C Street in Richmond.

Indiana State Police Sgt. Scott Keegan gave this account of what investigators believe happened:

Officer Burton made a traffic stop about 7 pm The suspect, whose name has not been released, drew a weapon and fired multiple shots at the officer. The suspect got out of the vehicle and ran as a second officer returned fire and other officers who were on scene gave chase. The suspect was hit by gunfire; How many times he was uncertain.

No other officers were injured.

Both Officer Burton and the suspect were taken to Miami Valley Hospital. The suspect’s condition was not known.

ISP, which has taken over the investigation, does not know what led to the traffic stop, Sgt. Keegan said.

Chief Britt said there were a lot of facts yet to be determined, but noted, “it is not a common thing” for Richmond police officers to be shot in the line of duty.

>> Off-duty Richmond police officer shot wounded in April

He called Officer Burton, a K-9 handler, “a fine officer” who is engaged and was to be married, “I believe, next weekend.”

Major Dave Snow, who also attended the media briefing, said, “This is a heavy evening in our community. [Officer Burton] you have worked hard for this community.

“This will not be tolerated,” he said of the shooting.

>> PHOTOS: Richmond police officer seriously hurt after being shot during traffic stop

FIRST REPORT:

A Richmond, Indiana, police officer and another person described as a suspect have been injured in a shooting Wednesday evening.

According to Indiana State Police via social media, an officer and suspect were injured during the shooting and taken to a hospital.

Police said the shooting occurred near 12 street and C street in Richmond.

>> Lawyer: Butler Twp. shooting suspect intends to waive extradition to Ohio

Another Indiana law enforcement agency confirmed with News Center 7 that the injured officer is a member of the Richmond Police Department.

The Pendleton Post of Indiana State Police confirmed that the officer was being taken by a medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital. Our crew on scene reports seeing multiple Richmond police cruisers at the hospital.

The conditions of the officer and the suspect are not known.

We will update this story as we learn more.

Scene of the Shooting Photo by Brandon Lewis (Staff)

©2022 Cox Media Group