Pair Hunted After Shooting Leaves Cops 'Critical'

Helicopters, dozens of officers search for suspect, female driver in Tampa

TAMPA — Two Tampa police officers were shot and critically wounded Tuesday during a traffic stop, prompting a major hunt for the car's two occupants.

Citing hospital sources, two TV stations reported that one of the officers had died. However, there was no official confirmation.

The car was pulled over because it did not have a visible tag, police said, and it was discovered one of the occupants was wanted on an arrest warrant, according to the St. Petersburg Times.

Tampa Police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said the officer called for back-up after a background check revealed the male passenger in the car was wanted for a misdemeanor.

The car was being driven by a woman but the shooting, which happened just after 2:15 a.m. at 50th Street and 23rd Avenue, is believed to have been carried out by a male passenger, police told the Times.

McElroy said the two officers were transported to the hospital in "extremely critical condition."

'Threat to the community'
Police said they think they know the identities of the car's occupants, but did not release their names. "Our first and foremost concern is to catch these suspects,'' said McElroy, according to the Times. "They're certainly a threat to the community.''

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