Manchester NH police officer shot, suspect arrested

MANCHESTER, N.H. (WHDH) -- A Manchester, New Hampshire police officer was shot multiple times on Wednesday evening after responding to an incident on the west side of the city, police said.

Police arrested 22-year-old Myles Webster of Litchfield in connection with the incident.

Police say there were multiple officers involved in the confrontation, which occurred at about 6:30 p.m., but only one was injured. The officer is expected to survive after undergoing emergency surgery on Wednesday night.

A witness told 7News that he rushed outside after hearing gunfire, and saw the officer on the ground in an intersection, bleeding heavily.

“I see the cop on the ground and I started running over there. One of my friend’s dad went over there and he just seen the cop on the ground bleeding and we tried helping him,” said John Russell, a witness. “His leg was really bad.”

Russell also said he saw two men fleeing the scene -- one with a bandanna covering his face.

The incident occurred in the area of Rimmon Street. Police say they believe there is no further threat to area residents.

“We want to assure the public that there is no danger to the public or the community as a result of this shooting,” Senior Assistant Attorney General Jeff Strezlin said. “We can’t give any details other than that because this is a very active and ongoing investigation.”

Witnesses say they believe the officer may have been undercover because he was in plain clothes but noted that he had his badge around his neck.

The officer was transported to Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire where he underwent surgery Wednesday night. He was listed in serious but stable condition Thursday morning.

"He is at the hospital. There are many members of his family there with him at this time and they're being supported by members of the Manchester police department," Strezlin said. "We're not releasing his name yet because we're trying to make sure that all of his family members are notified, and once that's done we will release his name."

Police said Webster would be charged with attempted murder.

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