By 4 CBS News Denver
Colorado Springs Police Officer Cem Duzel was shot overnight and was critically hurt in a shootout.
“We like to express our gratitude for the outpouring of support from hundreds and hundreds of people from around the country,” the police department said on Facebook Thursday afternoon.
“Please keep Officer Duzel and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”
(Cem Duzel, the Colorado Springs Police officer who was critically wounded early Thursday morning is showing small signs of improvement, but remains in critical condition. Courtesy of KOAA 5 and YouTube. Posted on Aug 4, 2018.)
Duzel is a 5-year veteran of the Colorado Springs Police Department.
A suspect was also shot and wounded but is expected to survive.
(Learn More. An Iraqi immigrant who allegedly shot a Colorado cop Thursday during a shootout has been involved in a string of crimes for the last five years — yet avoided being deported, a report said. Karrar Al Khammasi, 31, missed his Friday court appearance after he was hospitalized following a shootout with officers in Colorado Springs. Al Khammasi is accused of shooting Colorado Springs officer Cem Duzel in the head early Thursday morning, leaving the cop in critical but stable condition as of Saturday. Before Thursday’s shooting, the Khammasi was known to immigration enforcement officials due to his nine prior contacts with police, the Colorado Springs Gazette reported. Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi, 31, is accused of shooting Colorado Springs officer Cem Duzel. (AP) His first incident was in 2013 when he was charged with drunken driving. About a month later, Khammasi was charged with criminal extortion where investigators believe he threatened a man and his family and set a car on fire. COLORADO SPRINGS POLICE OFFICER CRITICALLY INJURED IN SHOOTING, GUNMAN ALSO SHOT Court records stated Khammasi was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty to first-degree trespassing of a dwelling in 2014. Khammasi was on an immigration hold that day. Police said Friday Officer Cem Duzel had movement on both sides of his body overnight and has family and friends were by his side in the hospital. (AP) His criminal history continued this year when Khammasi was arrested in January for allegedly possessing a stolen handgun. He posted $1,000 cash bail in February and was free until Thursday’s shooting. His Friday court appearance was on the gun charge. It’s unclear, however, if or why Khammasi was not deported in the five years. Khammasi was charged with attempted first-degree murder, possession of a weapon by a previous offender and felony menacing on Friday. He is being held without bond. Katherine Lam is a breaking and trending news digital producer for Fox News. Follow her on Twitter at @bykatherinelam. Courtesy of Savannah Evans and YouTube. Posted on Aug 5, 2018.)
The shootout took place at approximately 3 a.m. on the 2300 block of East Boulder Street near the intersection of Boulder Street and Bonfoy Avenue, a few blocks away from the U.S. Olympic Training Center.
Police Chief Peter Carey said officers were responding to “an armed individual who was firing shots.”
The suspect was standing on the street when they arrived.
Update: Cem’s doctors report he is stable. However, his condition continues to be critical. He is taking some nutrients and tolerating it well. His family, friends, and colleagues continue to be at his side. We will update Cem’s condition as appropriate.
— Springs Police (@CSPDPIO) August 4, 2018
That suspect has been identified as Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi, 31.
“When officers arrived on scene they encountered an armed suspect and there was an exchange of gunfire,” Carey said.
Police asked that people avoid the area around Boulder Street, Union Boulevard and Platte Avenue while an investigation by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office takes place.
“This has been an extremely difficult year with law enforcement officers being hurt or killed, in particular in our region,” Carey said.
“Please keep Officer Duzel, his family and the Colorado Springs Police Department in your thoughts and prayers.”
Duzel underwent surgery after the shooting at UCHealth Memorial Hospital.
Charges for Suspect in Officer Involved Shooting include Attempted First Degree Murder: https://t.co/cuU9KvlBZu pic.twitter.com/3VTNQ8HHoH
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) August 3, 2018
The sheriff’s office asked that people and media agencies not fly drones near the scene of the investigation.
Additional Information from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office:
If anyone knows Al Khammasi or has any information about him, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 719-520-6666 or Crimestoppers at 719-634-7867.
Editor’s note: Our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Duzel, and his family both blood and blue. Thank you Sir for serving the citizens of Colorado Springs with pride and distinction. Praying for your full recovery.
Hundreds of residents are showing their love and support for injured #CSPD Officer Cem Duzel at a prayer vigil tonight. pic.twitter.com/Rua7yKvMRu
— City of Colorado Springs (@springsgov) August 4, 2018
