RICHMOND, Ind. — A Richmond police officer is fighting for her life after being shot during a traffic stop, authorities said. The suspect who shot her was arrested.
According to the Indiana State Police, the shooting occurred near 12th Street and C Street in Richmond at approximately 6:30 pm on Wednesday. Police confirmed 28-year-old Officer Seara Burton was shot. She was flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.
“She is in a very critical condition fighting for her life,” said Richmond Police Chief Mike Britt. “Those of you who pray I ask you to pray for her, because she can use it.”
Officer Burton is a four-year veteran and was recently elevated to the K-9 unit. Burton was also engaged and supposed to be married soon, Britt said.
According to the Indiana Fraternal Order of Police, Burton is undergoing surgery.
Police said Burton responded to a call from other officers to help with a traffic stop at North 12th Street and C Street. Officer Burton found a moped driven by a male, identified as 47-year-old Phillip M. Lee.
Indiana State Police say Officer Burton’s K9 partner Brev indicated the possible presence of narcotics sniffing around the moped.
ISP said while officers were talking with Lee, he pulled out a firearm and shot several rounds toward officers. Officer Burton was struck. At this point, police have not released how many times she was shot.
Other officers on the scene returned fire, striking Lee, but they ran off. Officers were able to get him into custody after a short foot chase. Police did not release how many times Lee was shot.
Lee was transported to Reid Hospital in Richmond. He has been arrested on probable cause. The Wayne County Prosecutor will determine what charges he will face.
FOX59 spoke to witnesses at the scene who said the officer was shot in the head. Police did not confirm this information.
Chief Britt did say the entire department suited up to come to the scene and offer help in response to the incident. Britt said the department was devastated, calling Burton a “fine officer.”
Joyce Deloney told FOX59 she witnessed part of the shooting, at first thinking she was hearing fireworks before she walked across a parking lot and saw gunfire striking a building causing Deloney to turn and run.
“I think everyone is in shock, maybe a little bit of disbelief that this was happening here,” Deloney said, adding that the neighborhood has lots of families and children.
“It’s tragic that this happened… I think this could have been prevented.”
“Tonight our deepest thoughts and deepest prayers are with Officer Burton and her family,” said Richmond Maj. Dave Snow.
Additional reporting by Courtney Spinelli