An Albuquerque, New Mexico police officer was shot twice during a traffic stop early Saturday morning, according to police.
Lou Golson was wounded, once in the torso, when he tried to question drunken motorist Christopher Cook. Police do not know what led Cook to shoot Golson, who returned fire before the suspect fled the scene.
Golson is a 31-year-old veteran who came out of retirement to work in the department’s DWI unit. Since the shooting, he’s been listed in stable condition and will have to undergo a number of surgeries.
“His road to recovery will be long, and the family asks that we do not divulge the extent of his injuries. But I will tell you that they are serious injuries, and we pray he will be able to return to work at the Albuquerque Police Department,” Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden said.
More than 60 people have stopped by the University of New Mexico Hospital, where Golson is being held, to offer their support.
Golson was wearing a lapel camera when he was shot. The camera was able to provide second-by-second details and three blurry pictures of the suspect.
The lapel camera attached to Golson “captured the entire incident from start to finish,” Eden said. “The video lasts just seconds. Officer exits his vehicle, he approaches the (suspect’s) vehicle, shots are fired, the officer returns fire and the suspect flees. It happens very, very quickly.”
Thanks to this, police were able to arrest 36-year-old Cook, who was released from prison about a year ago and has a long criminal history. Cook was homeless and driving a stolen SUV when he was pulled over by Golson.
At the time of the shooting, he also had arrest warrants related to auto theft.
Cook will face state and federal charges.
SOURCE: Huffington Post, WTOP | PHOTO CREDIT: Screenshot
