One of suspects arrested in connection to officer-involved shooting linked to gang, police say

Crime scene at night
Photo credit Getty Images

UPDATED: A Dallas police officer is recovering and released from the hospital after being shot on the job early Thursday morning.

Dallas Police officials say it was just before 1 a.m. when a couple of officers in an unmarked car saw someone driving erratically in South Oak Cliff. They followed the other car, waiting for marked vehicles to arrive, when someone in that car opened fire.

Police say one shot went through the officers' driver's side door and struck the officer in the hip. He was transported to the hospital and went through surgery overnight and is recovering today. He is reported to be in stable condition.

Marked squad cars chased the gunman's car and arrested five people about six miles away. Two of the suspects were taken to the hospital, one with chest pains and the other with unspecified injuries.

After further investigation, three teen suspects were released and not charged. Dallas Police arrested 17-year-old Jaheart Nickelberry, and charged him with Aggravated Assault, Evading Arrest/Detention – Motor Vehicle, Aggravated Robbery, and Theft.

In a news presser on March 18, Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia updated that Nickelberry shot the police officer's car five times during the pursuit. Garcia says that Nickelberry didn't know it was a police car and would have shot anyway.

Dallas police also arrested a 15-year-old female and charged her with Evading Arrest/Detention.

One male suspect remains at large and there is no suspect description available yet. Police found two firearms in the shooter's car.

In a news presser, Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia updates that Nickelberry is also part of a gang. He is a suspect in a violent crime in Ellis County with other charges including evading arrest. He also invaded a home and stole property which led to Glen Heights charging him.

The investigation is ongoing for the other suspect involved.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: MattGush/GettyImages