TURTLECREEK TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A Middletown K9 officer and a murder suspect were shot Monday afternoon after a police pursuit ended at the 2600 block of Mason-Montgomery Road.
Butler County sheriff Richard Jones said the officer's injuries were non-life-threatening; On Tuesday, Middletown Police announced he was treated at Atrium Medical Center and released later Monday night. The suspect, who was later identified as Christopher James Hubbard, was shot and taken to West Chester Hospital for treatment, according to Jones. He was later transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Middletown Police later identified the officer as Denny Jordan, a 21-year MPD veteran. Officials said he was shot in the hand, tricep and leg. His K9 partner, Koda, was not injured.
We are asking for prayers and support at this time. pic.twitter.com/zs9KAcLVZp
— Middletown Division of Police (@MPDOhio) August 31, 2020
Jones said Fairfield Police started the chase in Middletown and went through Hamilton as officers pursued a suspect wanted for murder and other warrants out of Hamilton.
“We used stop sticks," Jones told reporters Monday. "The suspect ran into the yard almost immediately. That point, the Middletown officer was the closest vehicle to the suspect’s car. At that point the suspect started shooting.”
VIDEO: You can watch witness video from the scene below. WARNING: Contains the sounds of shots being fired during the altercation.
Five officers returned fire and struck the suspect, Jones said. The man was transported to West Chester Hospital, and police have not confirmed his identity or condition at this time.
Former WCPO photographer Chic Poppe was at the scene and said there appeared to be evidence of a chase and crash in the front yard of the home on Mason-Montgomery Road.
“(Officers) broke the window out on the driver side. Tried to get him out. Meantime, he pulls out a gun, the driver does. Shoots the policeman," he said.
That's when Larry Carrier, another witness who lives nearby, said he heard a barrage of gunfire.
“Probably 30 shots," he said. "At that point I got frightened. Jumped behind my car. Watched what happened.”
He then saw several officers approach the vehicle and drag someone across the yard.
"I was certainly getting frightened. I’ve never seen so many officers with guns drawn. I’ve seen it on TV, never seen it in real life. I hope I never see it again, to be honest. It was quite scary. Something not typical for this area," he said.
Officers from the Fairfield, Hamilton and Middletown police departments responded, as did Butler County deputies and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Warren County Prosecutor's Office are now involved in the investigation.
WCPO will update this story as we learn more.
