Tucson Police officer shot in head after responding to break-in
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Posted 10:32 AM 11/18/2012 : Tucson Police officer shot in head after responding to break-in
TUCSON - A Tucson Police officer is in critical condition at a local hospital after being shot in the head at a midtown crime scene early Sunday morning.
Sgt. Robert Carpenter is recovering from surgery at UAMC, Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villasenor told the media at a news conference Sunday morning. He is cognizant and aware of his surroundings.
Officers are now looking for the suspect: a 20 to 30-year-old Hispanic man with balding hair, weighing about 160 pounds, wearing a dark blue jersey with "43" on it and blue jeans, Villasenor said.
At about 5:15 a.m. this morning, Sgt. Carpenter was shot in the head after police responded to reports of forced entry at a midtown home, Villasenor said. His fellow officers quickly pulled him into cover, and called for an ambulance. The bullet was larger than .22 caliber, Villasenor said.
RAW VIDEO: Watch the complete Tucson Police news conference here
This was the second time officers had responded to that home Sunday morning: at about 1:43 a.m., Tucson Police responded to a residential alarm at the 4000 block of E. Elmwood, located near Alvernon Way and Broadway Boulevard. Officers secured the residence and searched the area, but were unable to find a suspect.
Officers then responded to the forced entry call at the same address, Villasenor said. Officers arrived at the scene almost immediately and searched the area, but did not find any suspects. As officers were securing the scene, they heard a loud noise, and discovered that Sgt. Carpenter had been shot.
The suspect fled the area on foot.
Police are now searching for the suspect with patrol vehicles, a helicopter, and other resources.
If you have any information on this incident or know the whereabouts of the suspect, please call 911 or 88-CRIME.
Below is a map of the approximate location of the shooting incident:
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Pictured: 1. A SWAT vehicle outside the crime scene where Sgt. Robert Carpenter was shot in the head Sunday morning.
2. Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villasenor addresses the media outside University of Arizona Medical Center Sunday morning.
